Student and teacher relationships on Facebook have become a national controversy in the past few months. BHS students and staff have many opinions about what’s appropriate in regard to Facebook “relationships” for classroom use.

Over the summer, the Missouri State Legislature passed a law banning teachers from communicating with students via Facebook or other social media.  Before going into effect, part of the law was suspended by a judge due to first amendment concerns.

In other parts of the country, many school districts, including the Dayton Public Schools, have restricted teacher-student communication via social media.

Assistant Principal Paul Chase was asked about our school district’s policy. “[We have] a policy that regulates communication using electronic devices for teachers.” The policy states, “Each professional staff member shall: refrain from using his/her professional relationships with students for private advantage.” Though this policy doesn’t directly allow students and teachers to friend each other on Facebook, it doesn’t rule it out.

English teacher Todd Butler said, “I am not sure how the process works with teacher pages and students joining the page. I don’t know if they need to be friends. However, generally speaking, I do not think teachers and students should be friends on Facebook.”

Social studies teacher Pam Ogilvy uses a personal Facebook in addition to a class Facebook. She said, “You guys check Facebook way more frequently than First class or Blackboard. I can post to Blackboard until I’m blue in the face…. Kids won’t check Blackboard. If I meet you where you are on Facebook, hopefully you will be more inclined to get your work done.” However, Ogilvy has never been friends with a student, current or former, on her personal Facebook. She explained, “I don’t think it’s appropriate…It’s a slippery slope.”

History teacher John Perse asked, “What’s the point?” He said, “[I use Facebook primarily] to keep in touch with people I don’t normally see….I see them [students] everyday.” He added, “It is more appropriate to be friendly as opposed to being friends with current students.” However, he has reconnected with a few former students through the site.

When asked if she had ever been friends with a student on Facebook, art teacher Heather Grano commented, “No, never, even when they graduate.” She said, “There are better forms like e-mail, if its professional (with an alum or for an educational purpose)…there is nothing that special about Facebook.”

Sophomore Jessica Angel does not believe students and teachers should be friends. She described it as “weird.” She also said that she wouldn’t like to be friends with a teacher because she does not want her teachers to see what she posts on Facebook.

Until recently, Beachwood schools have blocked access to Facebook (and many other social networking sites) on school computers, but this doesn’t stop students from accessing these social network sites through their phones on school grounds.

Chase was also asked whether Facebook is now unblocked on school computers.  He said,  “We have several classes that use [Facebook] for their curriculum. We’re trying to [allow access to] the school-related pages.” He continued, “I think it’s an important tool if used the right way. You don’t want to completely destroy the educational path, it’s a balance.”