Collaboration

Our school is a unique place to live, learn and share. We have a need to address Social
Media and BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) in our handbook. As things change, we
periodically need to address those changes because they affect how we learn and live
in our community. In keeping with our tradition of problem-solving, I have offered a
starting place/a suggested solution. It is offered in Google Docs so all can comment, as
we all must live with this in our community.
If you are moved in any direction, both positive and negative, say so. Silence equates to
acceptance. If you are moved negatively, offer a different solution. This document will
remain open to comments for one week. At that time, the Student Government Board,
the Community Honor Board, Parent Liaison, and the Administrative Senior Leadership
Team will meet to solidify a final document. An addendum to the student handbook will
be posted to our online handbook NLT December 1, 2014 and hard copy mailed during
Winter Break.
I look forward to your feedback. ~ B Bernheim
Social Media and BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) Policy for ABC Boarding
School
This policy is for Students, Faculty, Staff, and Parents of ABC Boarding School. There
are basic components that apply to each. For the purpose of clarity, Social Media
includes a broad range of applications allowing the creation, sharing and modification of
user-generated content (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, FourSquare, and
Pinterest are a few of the most common Social Media platforms). The word device will
apply to all cell phones (Android and OS) both Smart and not-so-smart, iPads, tablets,
laptops, ereaders and assistive devices. ABC Boarding School maintains that use of
social media and your own technology allow one to utilize a powerful educational tool to
gain instant access to information from online resources to include faculty, family, and
peers here on campus to the other side of the world.
All
Please insure you are familiar with ABC Boarding Schools Digital Citizenship
Policy.
Use of your device in a way that interferes with the learning or the work of
another on ABCs campus is unacceptable.
Use of the device to record audio or video must be ONLY for educational
purposes and for a specific lesson.
Phones/devices should be in silent mode while on ABC Boarding Schools
grounds.
Device security, passwords, environmental damages, damage sustained on
campus are the responsibility of the owner.

 ABC Boarding School is not responsible for any usage charges an individual may
accrue.
Use of technology at or within 100 meters of the Community Pond is not allowed
as that area is our Technology-Free Zone. Exceptions - AOD (Administrator On
Duty), Duty Houseparents, and Student Dorm Leaders/Proctors may use their
phones as necessary for the health and welfare of all members of our
community.
Use of a device for a non-educational purpose such as sexting, cyberbullying, etc
is contrary to the goals of ABC Boarding School. Not only would that be against
our Digital Citizenship policy, it could be against the law. ABC Boarding School
could indeed forbid use of the device, forfeiture of the device or turning the
matter over to authorities. The hope would be the community values the device
for the educational value and all make the choice to use technology in a way that
uplifts us all.
Faculty, and Staff
We must set the example and maintain professionalism. Faculty and Staff are
encouraged to have professional accounts in Social Media.
Whether you choose to have your current accounts accessed by students or
maintain a professional account, you are encouraged to remember that in all you
do, you represent a parental figure on-campus at all times, whether in the
classroom or in your home. In loco parentis, a phrase present throughout our
handbook, means we are to act as parents in their absence. Do your best to act
accordingly in the physical and digital realms.
Unless you are specifically authorized to speak on behalf of the trustees or ABC
Boarding School, please express your own opinions as such. Take care to
understand that those both inside and outside our community (in physical and
virtual spaces) see you as a voice for the school.
Please engage your students transparently and professionally in Social Media.
They will learn more if they feel access to you is both wise and open. (Protect
yourself and ABC Boarding School - please document exchanges in Social
Media with screenshots or by saving chats. There can be no expectation of
privacy)
Please refrain from secrets with your students, specifically in the digital
environment. If you have a concern, you are obligated to share with the Deans
Office and/or the School Counselor.
Concerns regarding use of social media and devices for cheating are real.
Marjorie Wagner purports that more challenging test questions might be a portion
of the solution (2011).

 If you are upset, give yourself 24 hours before responding in the digital arena. If
you have a concern, we have a concern. Please seek the Head of School, the
Deans, or the Resident Life Coordinator as pertinent.
Parents
You are all adults and we do not have jurisdiction or the place to tell you what to do. We
respectfully ask that you join our team and help us to educate your child.
If your student vents to you, or offers a vent/rant in social media, please ask your
child, privately, if he/she is just venting or asking you to take action. Please
consider a productive solution - ask him/her if you can assist in crafting a plan of
action for the student to resolve his/her issue. You might ask your student to
seek the advice of their Dorm Parent, Grade-Level Dean, Dean of Students,
Resident Life Coordinator, Student Dorm Leaders, Coach or the Head of School,
as applicable, to help them resolve their issue. Please refrain from taking the
issue to Social Media.
Please encourage your student to follow the BYOT & Social Media guidelines.
Students
The social media explosion coupled with handheld devices puts amazing resources at
your fingertips. We encourage the use of social media and devices in a positive manner
that helps you cultivate resources and connections to advance your educational quest
at ABC Boarding School. In addition to concerns voiced above, please note the
following:
There is no requirement to have a device. Using your device is YOUR choice.
Your educator has the final say on device use in a given classroom/educational
setting.
Please make/receive/answer personal calls/texts on personal time outside of
class or athletic settings.
Using social media and or your device to cheat, hack, or circumvent the
educational processes at ABC Boarding School violates our Honor Policy and
negates the trust level between community members. Offenses will at be dealt
with by the Community Honor Board.
If you are unsure about a resource, application, or message, please seek the
advice of a trusted adult.
Digital actions are permanent, less footprints in the sand and more like footprints
in wet cement. Please keep that in mind with every selfie, resource or comment
made in social media.
Though most infractions are turned over to our Community Honor Board,
understand that In Loco Parentis means parents and the community expect ABC
Boarding School will act on behalf of all parents for the protection of all on our
campus. The Administrative Team reserves the option to take decisive action in

the event that the educational opportunity of any student is compromised by the
device use of another.
Resources
11 sample education BYOT policies to help you create your own. (2014, September 12).
Retrieved November 7, 2014, from http://www.teachthought.com/technology/11sample-education-byot-policies-to-help-you-create-your-own/
Lepi, K., (2012, June 11). Crowdsourced school social media policy now available. In
Edudemic. Retrieved from http://www.edudemic.com/school-social-media-policy/
Kessler, S. (2010, June 11). The Case For Social Media in Schools. Retrieved
November 7, 2014, from http://mashable.com/2010/09/29/social-media-in-school/
The Salisbury School, (2013). Network Internet - Terms and conditions of use. In The
Salisbury School Student Handbook. Retrieved from
http://www.thesalisburyschool.org/page/On-Campus/Technology/Acceptable-UsePolicyA student-centered universal BYOT policy template for schools. (2013, November 7).
Retrieved November 7, 2014, from
http://www.teachthought.com/technology/teachthoughts-universal-byot-policyframework/
Sullivan, J., (2014). Social Networking Tips for Teachers. Retrieved November 7, 2014,
from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech256.shtml
Wagner, M., (2011, June 14). Cell phone use in schools - yes. In EducationSpace360.
Retrieved from http://www.educationspace360.com/index.php/cell-phone-use-inschools-yes-4274/