Garrett Park Elementary School PTA

Garrett Park Elementary School PTA is establishing the following policy to guide its media efforts and activities, including its newsletter and social media.  Media opportunities, including social media, are growing rapidly.  However, before any media platform is utilized for the GPES PTA, it should be analyzed to determine:

• Compatibility with the GPES PTA’s media goals
• Compliance/agreement with a platform’s Terms & Agreements
• Audience reach

Once a platform has been selected and approved for implementation, its use should conform to this policy.

Garrett Park Elementary School PTA Media Goal

Garrett Park Elementary School PTA may employ various forms of media to keep GPES families informed and involved in the PTA’s efforts and programs.

Media Objectives

• To actively engage GPES families by various media outlets, including social media, to communicate about GPES PTA efforts and programs as well as issues that may affect the school or education.
• To encourage a closer relationship between families and the school to foster cooperation in the education of our children.
• To encourage volunteer participation in the GPES PTA.
• To encourage attendance at GPES PTA programs and events.
• To listen to and understand any concerns or suggestions voiced by GPES PTA families via social media. 

Social Media Presence

Garrett Park Elementary School PTA’s initial social media presence will be on Facebook and Twitter.  The GPES PTA Facebook Fan Page and Twitter account will be set up and maintained by a person delegated with the task by the PTA President in accordance with the goal and objectives stated in this policy.  In addition, the PTA President and Vice President of Communications will maintain Administrator rights.  No other GPES PTA or faculty member is authorized to maintain and update the GPES PTA Facebook page without prior approval from the PTA President.

Media Implementation

All content published by the GPES PTA or to the GPES PTA Facebook Fan Page, GPES PTA Twitter Account or other social media platforms must be in accordance with the following intended uses:

• Encouraging membership in the GPES PTA,
• Distributing advance notices of GPES PTA events and initiatives,
• Soliciting volunteers to assist with GPES PTA events and initiatives,
• Encouraging participation in fundraisers, food/clothing drives, book fairs, recognition events, and other events and initiatives,
• Informing GPES families about news, events, programs, or legislation that may affect the school or education,
• Recognizing special achievements or accomplishments of GPES PTA members or staff members,
• Encouraging support for GPES PTA legislative initiatives, when appropriate,
• Recognizing GPES PTA partners and supporters, when appropriate, and
• Other uses as approved by the GPES PTA President and/or Principal

While the GPES PTA does not seek to sensor posts or limit freedom of speech on its social media platforms, all content must be in compliance with the PTA’s policy and intended uses.  Any content that is deemed to be prohibited or objectionable will be removed by the PTA President, Vice President of Communications, or the delegate assigned to maintain the social media presence.  The following uses prohibited on any GPES PTA media outlet, including social media platforms or the PTA newsletter:

• Cyberbullying of any kind, including insulting, targeting, embarrassing or excluding any individuals, including but not limited to School Board officials, school administrators, teachers, PTA member, students, parents or other individuals,
• Offensive language, including but not limited to ethnic, religious and racial slurs; profanity; sexually explicit language and the like;
• Acronyms of offensive expressions, e.g. WTF, POS, DOC, FAH, FB, HUYA, LMAO, I&I, etc.
• Soliciting or advertising any business, except to the extent that such advertising occurs in conjunction with fundraisers and/or recognition of PTA partners and supporters
• Furthering an issue or product for personal or professional gain,
• Conversing about PTA Board business or discussions, and
• Airing grievances with School Board officials, school administrators, teachers, PTA member, students or other individuals.

Determination of prohibited use or objectionable content is at the sole discretion of the GPES PTA President and/or his or her delegate.  Any complaint of objectionable content will be handled by the GPES PTA President or the Vice President of Communications.

Photos and Videos

Photos and videos may be uploaded periodically to the GPES PTA Facebook page and/or website.  It is the policy of GPES PTA to post NO photos of any children on any Internet site unless the EXPRESS permission has been granted from the parent/guardian.

Delegated Authority for Administration

In the event of illness or extended vacations, it may be necessary to delegate authority for media administration/maintenance to a PTA board member other than the aforementioned delegate.  Authority must be delegated in writing. 

Annual Transition

Responsibility for GPES PTA’s media platforms will transition to the in-coming PTA president along with other responsibilities.  The outgoing and in-coming presidents will be responsible for coordinating and executing a seamless transition without substantial delay.

Sources

This policy was developed with information obtained or input from: 2011-2012 Ridgecrest PTA Board of Directors and the national PTA web site.