Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) mandates that all communications between employees, volunteers, and students be professional, school-related, and transparent, with supervisors and parents having access. These communications must occur on division approved platforms such as Parent Square, Seesaw, Gmail, etc. This policy emphasizes that all electronic and online interactions create a permanent digital record, making it crucial for employees to be role models and consider the impact of their online presence on their own and others' reputations.
To maintain professionalism and avoid impropriety, FCPS strongly advises employees to avoid using school accounts for personal social networking. When using personal sites that students, parents, or other FCPS personnel can access, employees are expected to:
- Maintain professional boundaries and authority.
- Manage their online reputation by carefully considering content.
- Utilize privacy settings to limit access to personal information.
- Exercise caution when forming online relationships.
- Refrain from inappropriate electronic communications with students.
- Recognize potential student misuse of social media.
- Avoid any appearance of impropriety.
- Refrain from posting negative information about students, colleagues, or the school division.
- Avoid uploading inappropriate content.
- Exercise caution with external links, preferring ad-free sites for videos.
- Comply with all School Board policies and regulations.
This regulation is not intended to hinder the appropriate use of technology for teaching, and employees are encouraged to use web-based resources to support learning, ensuring all tools are used safely and responsibly. Employees are required to adhere to all state codes, policies, and procedures regarding communications. Any suspected inappropriate communication between employees, volunteers, or students must be reported immediately to a principal, immediate supervisor, or the Assistant Superintendent for Administration.
For more information, please see the following:
- FCPS Policy 567P, Personnel - Acceptable Computer System Use
- FCPS Regulation 567R-A, Personnel - Acceptable Computer System Use
- FCPS Regulation 567R-B, Personnel - Electronic Mail, Social Media and Networking
- FCPS Regulation 567R-C, Personnel - Instructional Use of Social Networking Sites by Employees
- FCPS Regulation 567R-D, Personnel - Maintaining Appropriate and Professional Relationships with Students