Due to the wealth of social media tools available to students, student products and documents have the potential to reach audiences far beyond the classroom. This translates into a greater level of responsibility and accountability for everyone, including students. 

Ankeny Schools’ students should adhere to these guidelines when using social media tools, particularly when doing so on the district’s network, when using the district’s technology, and/or when doing schoolwork:  

1. Be aware of what you post online. Social media venues are very public. What you contribute leaves a digital footprint for all to see. Do not post anything you would not want peers, parents, teachers and/or future employers to see.
2. Your online behavior should reflect the expectations of Ankeny Schools: being respectful, responsible, and safe. It is acceptable to disagree with someone else’s opinions, however, do so in a respectful way. Make sure criticism is constructive and not hurtful. What is inappropriate in the classroom is inappropriate online.
3. All online behavior is expected to comply with the Ankeny Schools policies regarding harassment,  bullying, and inappropriate student conduct.
4. Be safe online. Never give out personal information including but not limited to last names, phone numbers, addresses, exact birth dates, school name, and/or pictures. Do not share your password with anyone besides your teachers and parents. While it is standard practice to link to other websites for support, be sure to read the entire article prior to linking to ensure that all information is appropriate for a school setting.
5. Do not use other people’s intellectual property (i.e., their words or ideas) without citing your sources. It is a violation of copyright law to copy and paste others’ thoughts without giving proper credit. When using exact language as evidence, place the text in quotes and cite your source. Even when paraphrasing or summarizing another’s idea(s), be sure to cite your source. Always include a works cited page. Some teachers may ask you to hyperlink your sources.
6. Treat all images and other media as if they are protected by copyright unless you get permission from the author or have searched with the appropriate usage rights filter. Consult your teacher librarian for assistance. 
7. Blogs and wiki posts should follow writing conventions including proper grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. If you edit someone else’s work, be sure it is in the spirit of improving the writing.
8. Your online presence is an extension of yourself. Do not misrepresent yourself by using someone else’s identity.

If you find inappropriate material online related to school and/or your school work that makes you uncomfortable, worried for your safety, and/or that is not respectful for the school or someone at school, tell your teacher right away.