2016-2017 Student Handbook | Page 40

teaching staff member and shall be reported to the Principal or designee by the teaching staff member. c. If a teaching staff member has a student(s) as a “friend” on their personal social networking website or other Internet-based social media website they must permanently remove them from their list of contacts upon Board adoption of this Policy. d. Communication between a teaching staff member and a student through social networking websites or other Internet-based social media websites is only permitted provided the website has been approved by the Principal or designee and all communications or publications using such websites are available to: every student in the class; every member of the co-curricular activity and their parents; and the Principal or designee. Reporting Responsibilities In the event a student sends an improper electronic communication, as defined in this Policy, to a teaching staff member, the teaching staff member shall report the improper communication to the Principal or designee by the next school day. The Principal or designee will take appropriate action to have the student discontinue such improper electronic communications. Improper electronic communications by a teaching staff member or a student may result in appropriate disciplinary action. A teaching staff member and student may be exempt from the provisions outlined in this Policy if a teaching staff member and student are relatives. The parent of a student and the teaching staff member requesting an exemption from the provisions of this Policy must submit a written request to the Principal of the student’s school indicating the family relationship between the student and the teaching staff member. The Principal will provide written approval of the request to the teaching staff member and the student. If the Principal does not approve the request, the teaching staff member and the student must comply with all provisions of this Policy. The Principal’s approval of a request for this exemption shall only be for the individual teaching staff member and student included in the request and for the school year in which the request is submitted. The provisions of this Policy shall be applicable at all times while the teaching staff member is employed in the school district and at all times the student is enrolled in the school district, including holiday and summer breaks. A copy of this Policy will be made available on an annual basis, to all parents, students, and school employees either electronically or in school handbooks. Policy 3283 N.J.S.A. 18A:36-40 Adopted: September 10, 2014 Policy 4283 Electronic Communications Between Support Staff Members and Students In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:36-40, the Board of Education adopts this Policy to provide guidance and direction to support staff members to prevent improper electronic communications between support staff members and students. The Board of Education recognizes support staff members can be vulnerable in electronic communications with students. The Board prohibits all electronic communications between a support staff member and a student. However, based on a support staff member’s professional responsibilities electronic communications between a support staff member and a student may be permitted with written approval of the Superintendent or designee. The approval is only for the school year in which the approval is granted. If the Superintendent or designee approves electronic communications between a support staff member and a student, the support staff member shall be required to comply with all the provisions of this Policy. The Commissioner of Education has determined inappropriate conduct may determine a school staff member unfit to discharge the duties and functions of their position. Improper electronic communications by school staff members may be determined to be inappropriate conduct. For the purposes of this Policy, “electronic communication” means a communication transmitted by means of an el