Welcome to the Southside Elementary School PTO page! This page has been created as a go-to source for PTO events, school events & volunteer opportunities.
Southside Elementary PTO Communications
Code of Conduct & Internet Etiquette
Our Facebook Page & Twitter Intent
Our intent is to make connecting with our PTO and school more convenient. We wish our content to be more accessible and to also tap into the knowledge and support base of our parent community. Our school’s PTO Facebook page allows our community to keep up to date with activities through a medium preferred by many. Overwhelmingly, our Facebook page is a place where we build our community by building school spirit. We ask that our community accentuate the positives and bring to everyone’s attention the little things that make our school community great.
This policy will come into effect as of August 1, 2013. We assume that you have read this policy and agree to its conditions. If you disagree with the policy, please “unlike” the Southside Elementary Facebook page.
Our Code of Conduct
Using Real Names
All users interacting with the Southside Elementary PTO Facebook page, by either liking or commenting on posts must do so using a Facebook account that clearly identifies them by their real name.
Raising Issues and not Including Names
Southside Elementary PTO is happy to be alerted to issues via its Facebook page but does wish to remind the community that some things are best dealt with privately. The kind of issues that can be raised should be centered around school improvements, generally on the infrastructure or processes. Issues involving any of the students or staff may not be raised on the Facebook page. When issues are raised we are happy to see people support the issue via a Facebook comment or a ‘like’. We will however not support interactions that incite or fuel negative sentiments. We also ask that you do not use the names of our teaching and administration staff, students or any other members of the community in any issues based postings. Posts clearly identifying an individual in a negative way will be removed or modified.
When can I use Names in Posts?
You can use names in posts when you wish to acknowledge someone’s great work or community contribution. We wish our Facebook page to be used to build spirit; patting someone on the back publicly goes a long way to building the school we all want. Please respect the privacy of others and remember that you may be personally responsible or liable for posts that infringe copyright, libel or defame someone.
How to Interact with the Facebook Page
Initially, users will be able to comment on the school’s postings and on comments by other users. Users will also be able to ‘like’ a post or comment by clicking on the like button. Users will not be able to author a posting of their own or load media such as video or photos. If you make a mistake, correct it. PTO Board members are asked to identify themselves as such in any post involving the school or PTO. PTO Board members should also remember not to speak for the PTO without PTO approval. We also honor the old adage “if you wouldn’t say it in a face to face, don’t post it.”
Uploading Photos and Other Media
Photos and/or videos of students or underage persons are not to be posted on this page. Southside Elementary PTO will remove any such photos that are posted. However, relevant photos of parents & volunteers who are over the age of 18 are welcome. Southside Elementary PTO Facebook & Twitter account administrators reserve the right to remove any photos and content deemed inappropriate and do not promote the school’s community spirit.
Underage Facebook Users
Southside Elementary School PTO does not endorse children under the 13 year old threshold imposed by Facebook creating their own Facebook account. We encourage children under parental supervision to view our school’s Facebook page, however under no circumstances are they to contribute to content. We believe our community’s conduct on our Facebook page will serve as role modeling for our students as to how to behave in social media spaces.
Friending Teachers on Facebook
It may seem like a great idea at first, but please remember that our teachers operate under a code of conduct that states that they are to maintain a professional relationship with students and parents. Friending your child’s teacher can be a slippery slope; please do not use this page as an opportunity to locate your child’s teacher on Facebook. Developing a friendship with your child’s teacher is natural, but why not keep it professional until your child is no longer in their class?
Moderation and Blocklisting
Southside Elementary School PTO reserves the right to set the strength level of the Facebook profanity filter (to strong) and to add additional words and names to the page’s blocklist.
Actions Resulting from any Breaches of the Code of Conduct
Southside Elementary School PTO reserves the right to ban any user from interacting with its Facebook page for breaches of the Code of Conduct.
The Law and Facebook’s Terms
Southside Elementary School PTO Facebook page operates under the Commonwealth Telecommunications Act and Facebook’s Terms.
Southside PTO is the engine that drives our incredible Southside community. The mission of the PTO is simple…to support our students, teachers, and staff in any way possible. Because of all the dedicated volunteers at Southside, we are able to provide our students with many events and programs they otherwise would not have. For example, one of the PTO sponsored events is The Fall Carnival/Picnic. This is an evening where all of the Southside families can come together, have dinner, play games, and visit with other Southside families - all paid for and operated by the PTO.
