Social Media

Introduction: Social media has changed the way we communicate, both as a district and as individuals. With such tools as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Youtube, and Instagram, anyone with an Internet connection now has the ability to create a dynamic web presence, update it from wherever they want and share their content instantly with friends and followers around the world.

Our Goal: Social media has given the NSCSD the opportunity to engage in ongoing “conversations” with our students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, colleagues, fans and friends about what is most important to them. It has also given us the ability to integrate new learning technologies into our classrooms and engage in a 21st century learning environment.

NSCSD supports the use of social media by members of our district to connect with students, faculty, alumni and community members and to aid classroom learning. This electronic “handbook” provides guidance on how to do so effectively, safely and within suggested guidelines.

What is Social Media?

Social media refers to online tools and services that allow any internet user to create and publish content. Many of these sites use personal profiles where users post information about themselves or the group represented. The “social” in social media comes in as these individuals or groups find others with similar interests, or within our district’s community, and interact with them through online platforms, sharing information and knowledge, offering support and networking.

Social media also allows for the easy sharing and repurposing of existing content, expanding the reach of your work and enabling others to share it with their friends and networks.

We encourage teachers, students, staff and other school community members to use social media as a way to connect with others, share educational resources, create and curate educational content and enhance the classroom experience. While social media can be fun and valuable, please review NSCSD’s guidelines before engaging in the use of social media within the district or when representing the district online.

How the NSCSD Uses Social Media

As an institution, the North Syracuse Central School District has been an adopter of social media, as these tools enable the district to share what is happening in our schools with our community, but most importantly, to let us hear directly and immediately from students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, fans and friends about what is important to them. This “conversation” is what makes social media so different from traditional forms of institutional communications.

Our goal is to create a dialogue with our school community and we cannot do this without collaboration. On the district level, we use social media to engage with members of our community, whether they are parents, staff, students or the media. 

The goal for NSCSD on social media is to share news about what goes on in our district, and to create a dialogue with our fellow community members. We encourage students, parents and the rest of the community to post comments, ask questions and share their stories with us on our accounts. We believe that what makes our great district run are the people behind it, and also the people we serve. The voice of the community is therefore a large part of how we engage on social media.

Main district accounts:

• NSCSD Facebook page
• NSCSD X Page
• NSCSD Youtube Channel
• CNS Athletics Facebook page
• CNS Athletics X Page
• CNS Athletics Instagram Page

How NSCSD Defines Social Media & Use

Social Media: Includes all methods of interaction online in all forms of user generated and distributed content including, but not limited to, blogs and social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, etc.).

Professional Use: Refers to the creation of social media accounts by staff or students to advance a program or function of the district or represent the district on social media. Content includes or reflects the opinions or representation of the district or group within the district.

Personal Use: Refers to the use of social media to advance a person’s self personally, although this may include some work related or school related activities such as networking or promoting a district program or service. Content reflects the personal opinion of the account holder.

Important Policies

Social media usage in the North Syracuse Central School District is governed by the same policies governing use for all other electronic communications or technology. Read the policies below before engaging in any social media use or campaign for any district purpose or as part of your official duties with the NSCSD. If you use social media for personal purposes, remember that even if you aren’t operating social media on district time or even for district purposes, you represent the district as an employee, student or organization.

• Acceptable Technology Device, Account, Internet, E-mail and Telephone Use Board of Education Policy #4201
• Internet Safety Board of Education Policy #4201.1
• Data Security and Privacy Protection of Student, Teacher and Principal Person Information Policy #4202.3

Best Practices for Success in Social Media

When Posting:

Use good judgment – We expect you to use good judgment in all situations

• You must know and follow the school’s Code of Conduct and Policy Manual.
• Think before you post! Regardless of your privacy settings, assume that all of the information you have shared on your social network is public information. Don’t post anything online you wouldn’t feel comfortable seeing on the front page of a newspaper or on the CNN website.

Be respectful, responsible and ethical – We expect you to uphold district standards online and offline

• Always treat others in a respectful, positive and considerate manner.
• Even though you are approved to represent the school, unless you are specifically authorized to speak on behalf of the school as a spokesperson, you should state that the views expressed in your postings, etc. are your own. Stick with discussing school-related matters that are within your area of responsibility.
• Be open about your affiliation with the school and the role/position you hold.
• Do not engage in arguments or extensive debates with naysayers on your site.

Be a good listener

• Keep in mind that one of the biggest benefits of social media is that it gives others another way to talk to you, ask questions directly and to share feedback.
• Be responsive to others when conversing online. Provide answers, thank people for their comments and ask for further feedback, etc.
• Always be doing at least as much listening and responding as you do “talking.”

Be active

• Social media presences require care. If you do not have the time or resources to check in on these sites at least a few minutes every other day and to post fresh content on a weekly basis, reconsider jumping into social media at this time.

Be a valued community member

• Don’t just talk about your program or department— share the best information you find from other areas of the district, community or world from trusted sources. This will increase the value of your site and also ensure you are a valued member of the community and are not just self-promoting.

Consider:

Confidential information – We expect you to protect our staff and students’ personal information.

• Do not publish, post or release information that is considered confidential or not public. If it seems confidential, it probably is. Online “conversations” are never private. Do not use your birth date, address and cell phone number on any public website.
• To ensure your safety, be careful about the type and amount of personal information you provide. Avoid talking about personal schedules or situations.
• NEVER give out or transmit personal information of students, parents or employees.
• Don’t take information you may receive through social networking (such as e-mail addresses, customer names or telephone numbers) and assume it’s the most up-to-date or correct.
• Always respect the privacy of school community members.

Images

• Respect brand, trademark, copyright information and/or images of the school.
• You may use photos and video (products, etc.) that are available on the school’s website.
• It is not acceptable to post pictures of students if the parent(s) have submitted a written request to opt-out.
• Do not post pictures of others without their permission unless it is from a public event. There is a difference between posting a picture of someone with their family at home and posting a picture of them at a science fair or football game.