Social Media Best Practices
Social media is a great tool to connect people and groups, share information, and tell the story of the wonderful things happening in our schools. At the same time, it’s important to remember that everything posted to social media is both public and permanent. Here are some tips to help maximize the content shared on social media, in a safe and effective way.
If you have any questions about creating a social media account, tips for maximizing content and reach, or anything else related to social media or communications, please reach out to Community Engagement Coordinator Joy Jordan for support: jjordan@monomoy.edu or 508-237-1781.
Share your info
The first step is to complete this form, so that the district knows who is operating all school-related accounts. It helps avoid duplication and lets us know what accounts are out there, so they can be tagged as needed.
It’s all in the name
The account name/handle should clearly indicate what your group is, such as monomoyboyssoccer or monomoy_sharks_2026. Using names that are not easily identifiable by the community will limit your reach and effectiveness. Names that might be perceived as inappropriate are not allowed.
Plan for transition and backup
If a staff member is running the account, be sure to add another staff member or administrator as backup so that the account can remain active even in the event of transition. For student-run accounts, be sure a coach, advisor, or other student also has access, again to make sure the account and content can live on even after graduation. Use your school email as the primary contact email for the account.
Post often
The more often you post, the better! Frequent posting helps your account show up for more people/followers. Also, social media platforms favor posts with photos and videos, so you should always try to include them (more below).
Use photos and videos
Posting photos and videos of students is highly encouraged, but be mindful of any students who the school may not have permission to photograph. Families have the opportunity each year to opt out of media release of photos; you can find this information in Aspen. Blurring or covering a student’s face with a graphic is not an acceptable alternative. (Note that public events such as awards assemblies, plays, graduations, concerts, athletic contests, or similar events that have newsworthy aspects are open to the public and, therefore, are not intended to be part of this procedure, though when possible comply in these larger settings, it is still encouraged to do so.)
Use tags
It’s always a good idea to use tags to make sure interested parties will see your post. Please always tag the district so that we can see it and share it. If your building has an account, tag them, if a colleague has a school-based account that relates to your post, tag them. If the post features activities related to work with an organization or business, tag them. This will help ensure that your posts are seen and shared, getting them to a broader audience and sharing our stories more widely. Also, note that when posting an Instagram story, it cannot be shared by another user unless that user is tagged in it, so please tag the district and, if applicable, school so that it can be shared to their followers.
Content reminders
- Focus on promoting and celebrating upcoming events/games/competitions for your group and/or members of the group. Accounts should not be used to mock any individual.
- Post appropriate content that is relevant to your sport/club/class – this is not a personal account. Refrain from posting memes or unrelated material.
- Consistency is key. Spread out posts and set a posting schedule you are able to maintain.
- Remember you are representing not just your group but also Monomoy Regional School District, so check pictures for inappropriate content/gestures, etc., proofread captions and on-screen text, and abstain from the use of veiled language or innuendos.
- Avoid posting, sharing, or liking inappropriate content when using a school-related account, including: campaigning for or against any political candidate; arguments, obscenity, or disparaging others; individually identifiable student information; confidential material; spam, advertising, or commercial solicitations; obscene, defamatory, harassing, discriminatory, violent, vulgar, hateful, or sexual material.
- Facebook requires business and organization pages to be connected to a personal FB account, and many people operating a school-based Instagram account may also have a personal account. For that reason, anyone who is managing a school-related social media account should be mindful about which account they are posting or commenting from.
Be cyber aware
Social media sites are often a vehicle for propagating phishing schemes and efforts of “bad actors” on the web. Practice good cyber hygiene (keep a strong password, don’t forward direct messages or click on questionable links) and report any unusual activity.
Remember the ALT text
To ensure that posts are accessible, be sure to use ALT text for any photos being shared.
Contribute content
Even if you are not operating a social media account, please help those who are by submitting great photos and videos of the amazing things you see happening in our schools!
Have fun
Social media allows us to tell fun, engaging stories about our schools, building awareness and creating goodwill – have fun with it!
Press inquiries
Postings may generate media coverage. If a member of the media contacts you about a social media posting or requests information from you via social media, contact Joy Jordan, Community Engagement Coordinator, at jjordan@monomoy.edu or 508-237-1781.
Staff Guidelines for Social Media
(Excerpted from MRSD Staff Handbook)
The lines between public and private, personal and professional are blurred in the digital world. Staff should be aware that private postings intended for just friends are potentially seen by others in the district including parents and community members. Ultimately, staff are responsible for adhering to the School Committee’s policy on Staff Conduct (file: GBEB). All staff “will conduct themselves in a manner that not only reflects credit to the school systems but also sets forth a model worthy of emulation by students.”
Staff Guidelines:
Staff should be aware that private postings intended for just friends are potentially seen by others in the district, including parents and community members. Staff are responsible for adhering to the School Committee’s policy on Staff Conduct (file GBEB). All staff “will conduct themselves in a manner that not only reflects credit to the school systems but also sets forth a model worthy of emulation by students.”
When posting online, do not post confidential student information, including name, grade, special education status, and other identifying details, including phone number and address. Staff are also responsible for knowing which of their students have opted out of all photo and media releases and working to ensure that those students are not photographed or posted on social media. This information can be found in Aspen under the Alerts column. Teachers serve as online moderators when content is contributed by students in the course of an assignment. When uploading digital pictures or avatars that represent yourself, make sure you select an appropriate image. Images reflect on your professionalism.
Staff should not post photos of students or student work to their personal social media accounts. As noted above, if you have photos you would like shared, please forward to Joy Jordan at jjordan@monomoy.edu for sharing via the official district accounts.
All communication between staff and students should be on a professional basis. Extracurricular advisors and/or coaches wishing to establish a social media platform must do so by using the form linked here. In such cases, the password will be provided to the district in a manner it prescribes. All contact and messages by extracurricular advisors and/or coaches with group/team members shall be sent to more than one member (i.e., captains, officers), except messages concerning medical or academic privacy matters, in which case the messages will be copied to the school principal and/or the athletic director.