Family Handbook 2019-20

Social Media Policy This policy requires agreement for employment at Havergal College by employees. It is included here in order to clarify why faculty and staff are restricted from connecting with parents and students through the use of social media for reasons outside of their professional relationship. Havergal College (“Havergal”) is committed to ensuring that social media and electronic communication is used effectively, purposefully and professionally. Introduction “Social Media” describes forms of Internet-based communication through which users create online connections to share information, ideas and other content. Examples include, but are not limited to, sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, Instagram, YouTube, Picasa and MySpace. Faculty and staff may use social media as instructional tools and for professional development. Within this framework, social media may serve a range of purposes, from helping students and parents / guardians access assignments and resources related to classroom studies, to connecting with classrooms in other communities and countries. Rationale The use of social media is regulated for all employees of Havergal College because social media is not private and its improper use can leave the school and employees open to charges of unethical and / or illegal conduct. Consequently, the use of social media by employees is permitted to facilitate learning. Faculty and staff may use social media in ways that are consistent with the mission, vision and values of Havergal, and that comply with the Ontario College of Teachers’ professional advisory on the use of electronic communications and social media. Faculty and staff are governed by the school’s Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement in all online spaces and are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respectfully and responsibly. Faculty / staff are to know and respect proper professional boundaries with students, particularly when students initiate electronic interaction.

Faculty must maintain a sense of professionalism at all times—in their personal and professional lives. Faculty and staff are individuals with private lives; however, off-duty conduct matters and the

Last Edited: August 20, 2019 Havergal College Family Handbook 2019–20

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