Google Doc: E-mail guidelines
E-mail Communication guidelines
The Kirkwood School District provides for electronical mail for the purpose of enhancing communication amoung faculty, staff as well as providing a tool to support school and community relations.
When using your e-mail account consider if the communication pass the TAP Test.
Electronic communication with faculty, staff, students and community should always be Transparent, Accessible and Professional as defined below:
1. The communication is transparent. – Remember ALL electronic communication should be transparent. As a public school district, we are expected to maintain openness, visibility and accountability with regards to all communications.
2. The communication is accessible. – Remember electronic communication should be considered matter of record, part of the District archives, and/or is accessible by others i.e. parents, administration, community, board of education.
3. The communication is professional. – Remember ALL electronic communication should be written as a professional representing KSD. This includes word choices, tone, grammar and subject matter that model the standards and integrity of a KSD professional. Always choose words that are courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike in manner.
Helpful reminders:
· Keep your messages short and to the point.
· Only use your kirkwoodschools.org account to communicate with students and parents.
· A professional e-mail should include a salutation and a complimentary close.
· Create informative e-mail headings.
· Refrain from sending any information that may be deemed as confidential.
· Do not use all capital letters as the reader may interpret you as SHOUTING.
· Avoid large or unnecessary attachments.
· Reply to e-mails as soon as possible. In the world we live in today e-mail is expected to be returned within 24 hours.
· Never argue in an e-mail. Pick up the phone.
· Tone, sarcasm and jokes are never communicated correctly and can be misconstrued.
· When discussing items of a sensitive nature, it is better to discuss face to face.
· Refrain from using “Reply All” unless your response is pertinent to all people listed on e-mail.
· Ensure the reply you are sending is being sent to the intended parties.
· Do not forward district information outside of district personnel.
· Refrain from advertising events, items, or services that do not pertain to school business.
· If you feel angry or passionate about a subject, it may not be the time to share your thoughts in a post. You should delay posting until you are calm and clear-headed.
· Thoroughly spell and grammar check your content before you post. Citizens expect that education employees set a good example when they write and speak in public. It is important that you correct any errors as soon as you can.
· Do no send an e-mail to the entire district without prior approval from supervisor.
· A user is responsible for all e-mail originating from the user’s e-mail account.
· Forgery or attempted forgery of e-mail messages is illegal and is prohibited.
· Unauthorized attempts to read, delete, copy or modify e-mail of other users are prohibited.
· Attempts at sending unsolicited spam, for-profit messages, or chain letters are prohibited.
· All users must adhere to the same standards for communicating electronically that are expected in the classroom and that are consistent with district policies and procedures.
· Users must obtain permission from the superintendent or designee before sending any district wide e-mail messages.
· If you chose a signature line make sure it is simple, text only, and professional in appearance and content.
Remember all e-mail communication are subject to the board policy EHB-AP and the acceptable use policies of the KSD. All electronic mail communication may result in monitoring and disclosure to third parties, including local, state or federal law enforcement.
