Media+Center+Web+Page

=**Web Page Guidelines** =

**Purpose:** The purpose of the web site is to educate, inform and communicate. All official school web sites must be located on the school district servers. The guidelines listed below must be used in the development of each web page on the school district servers, whether created by  schools, departments, district staff, students or other persons. These pages must reflect an understanding that a worldwide audience will be viewing the information and must reflect the professional image of the school district, its employees and students. The content of all pages must be consistent with the school district’s major system priorities and must adhere to Acceptable Use Policy.

**Policies for a Media Center Web site:** 1) Must be user-friendly. 2) Must adhere to county web site policies 3) Must include the following: a) LInks to the online catalog (for example, Destiny in Cherokee County) b) Links to subscription and non-subscription databases available to students c) Links to Online Student Testing System for books d) Upcoming events -- an online calendar is a great option e) Contact information for Media Specialist(s) f) Hours, and policies for visiting Media Center and for checking out books g) Policies for media center -- including, but not limited to behavior, fines, rules, expectations 4) Suggested additions: <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; margin-left: 0.25in;">a) comment section <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; margin-left: 0.25in;">b) podcasts of current books <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; margin-left: 0.25in;">c) voting section for favorite books -- blog site for students to access/add to <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; margin-left: 0.25in;">d) pathfinders for teachers/students

=<span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">District Rules for all county Web Sites: = **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Design: **
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Design each page with your audience and goals in mind.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Design a well-organized web site that provides quick access to information and helps the user understand how the information is organized.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Repeat basic page format, e.g. locate navigation tools in the same place on the page, have consistent link appearance and have consistent font size and type. //(Recommended fonts: Times New Roman, Arial, Verdana, Georgia, Calibri, Comic Sans.)//
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Avoid color schemes or backgrounds that make the information on the page difficult to read.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Limit page length and files to a size that is “as small as possible” but not difficult to read.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The web site may include areas such as staff information, student projects, assignments, important dates, parent information, school information and mission statement, community and geographical information.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">All web site authors must follow all applicable and existing copyright laws pertaining to the use of text, images, sound and videos.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">All web pages must adhere to the content guidelines and Acceptable Use Policy.

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Content: **
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">All pages must be proofread for grammar and mechanics.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Pages that contain time-sensitive information, such as calendars, school events and staff information must be updated to ensure current, accurate information. Remove expired date-related items.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Video and audio files may be used if they are compressed.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Maintain and remove unneeded files, especially photos and video files.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Web pages may not be used to provide financial gains for any individualor company.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 115%;">Web sites must not have information that is defamatory, vulgar, pornographic, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive or illegal.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 115%;">All web pages must adhere to copyright laws.

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Graphics and Picture Format: **
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Pictures should be sized and compressed appropriately for web pages. They need to be in GIF, JPEG, or other widely accepted Internet formats.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Graphics should be used judiciously.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Each picture posted MUST have a description added in order to meet W3Accessibility Guidelines.

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Use of personal staff information: **
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Pictures and names of staff and parent volunteers are allowed with principal’s approval.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Use of personal information about staff and parent volunteers such as non-district email addresses, non-district mailing address and non-district phone numbers may not be used, except as approved by the building principal. Example: PTSO/PTA/Booster Organization officer may request to have his/her personal email address listed in the appropriate area on the school's web page; the principal may approve the request.

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Links: **
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">All links must be accessible through the school district content filter.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">All links must be for curriculum educational purposes.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">"Non-official" district related __sites that are hosted on remote/external (non-district) web servers__ may not be linked from any page in the district portal - Examples: athletic booster pages, PTA pages, employee created pages, etc.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Links to flyers about School Sales Projects __that have been approved by the Board of Education__ are allowed.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Names and logos (if business permits) of business partners or businesses who purchase advertisements from school organizations may be used.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Links to flyers about approved staff discount programs are allowed.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">All other commercial transactions are prohibited on school pages.

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Use of Student Names, Pictures, Original Work, and Email Addresses: **
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Photographs of students may be placed on the Internet unless permission has been denied by the parents or guardians by notifying the principal in writing by September 1st or within one week of admission/enrollment if enrollment occurs after September 1st.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Only first names of student names can be used in captions of photographs. (Last names of students should never be used in captions of photographs.)
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Original work by students such as art work, poetry, essays, etc. may be placed on the web site unless permission has been denied by the parents or guardians by notifying the principal in writing by September 1st or within one week of admission/enrollment if enrollment occurs after September 1st.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Care must be given that any “links” which may contain photographs of students, such as newsletters, published articles, and student projects, do not compromise the privacy of the students.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Student personal contact information of any kind is prohibited.

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Blog and Wiki Guidelines: ** <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Class blogs and wikis must be tied to Student Performance Standards. The teacher must complete an online Internet Safety Course or school-based Internet Safety training class before the blog or wiki begins.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">All blogs and wikis must follow curriculum guidelines.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Students will use their student ID and a unique password to login to the system, but only first names will be seen in the blog or wiki entry of the post.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">No IM or text language is allowed.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Students must follow the Acceptable Use Policy.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">No personal information can be posted.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Only users approved by the teacher can read and/or post comments.
 * <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The teacher will read and approve appropriate comments in a timely manner.

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Web Review Committee: ** <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The principal at the individual school or his/her designee will designate a web review committee. It is recommended that the web review committee be composed of at least one building level administrator, a representative either from each grade level or subject area, the webmaster, technology specialist and the media specialist. If a smaller committee is desired, it is recommended that the committee be composed of an administrator, webmaster, media specialist, technology specialist and two teachers. The committee will ensure that the school’s web pages follow the district guidelines. **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Consequences: ** <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Infractions of the provisions set forth in these guidelines may result in suspension or termination of the web site, loss of access privileges and/or appropriate disciplinary action. Activities in violation of state and federal statutes will be subject to prosecution by those authorities. Disciplinary action may be taken by the District as appropriate.

= = **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Source: ** <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Cherokee County Web Site Policy <span style="color: #434323; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Image of bookworm