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VOLUME 95, ISSUE 1
ACCESS DENIED
Is the district internet policy outdated in the age of social media?
71 percent report using more than one platform. If social media is the preferred communication medium among young people, is the Lake Pend Oreille School District missing an educational opportunity by blocking social media for students? The Lake Pend Oreille Board Policy on Internet Access lays out clear criteria for what is considered inappropriate access, but does not make any specific reference to social media. Teachers are free to use social media for educational purposes under the policy, but most social media platforms are blocked for students on the district’s network. Teachers and district employees, however, have access to many of these blocked sites. LPOSD’s policy was last revised in 2012. Since that time, the role of social media has grown. Facebook announced in June that it has surpassed 2 billion active monthly users, while President Donald Trump’s preferred communication method is through Twitter. “I mean, the President can tweet all he wants about anything, but that’s really freeform,” School Technician Robert Linder said. “As far as teachers choosing to use a freeform medium like that for communication and learning, I think it would just have to be really specific, so once teachers find a specific way to incorporate it, I think it’d be great for the IT department to jump in and find ways to help teachers with that.” Some teachers, like Bird, think there is opportunity to incorporate social media into curriculum. “Social media is becoming the norm as to how people communicate and students should have access to that,” she said. “Of course, they shouldn’t be sitting all day, texting their friends, but I do think that educationally, there is a need for it in many cases and that we should review the policy.” Though social media platforms offer extensive information and communication resources, they invite distraction in the classroom. “Just like anything, it goes two ways,” District Director of Technology Matt Brass said. “Social media can be used for some really productive things, but at the same time, let’s face it: when you walk into a classroom and see kids on social media, probably twothirds of them are just messing around. The question is, how do you make it so that it is being used relevantly, and not just as a time-waster.” Cedar Post advisor William Love and Brass are teaming up for a pilot test of the incorporation of social media into the classroom, starting with Cedar Post. “Social media isn’t going anywhere, it’s just going to get stronger and have more relevant roots, so we just have to figure out how to best use it,” Brass said.
McCalee Cain Editor-in-Chief
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mongst teenagers, social media is steadily surpassing nearly all other information and communication resources: Just ask teacher and mom Mary Bird, who has experienced the expanse of the platform in her own home with her freshman son, Connor. “Last night I wanted Connor to come watch the news with us because they had all sorts of pictures from the hurricane flooding in Houston and I wanted him to see it, and his comment was, ‘I’ve already seen it on Snapchat’,” Bird said. This anecdote rings true beyond the Bird household: According to a 2015 Pew Research Center survey, approximately 76 percent of teens use social media, and
Basically speaking
DO YOU THINK THE DISTRICT SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY IS OUTDATED? Compiled by McCalee Cain, Editor-in-Chief
Fresh
So ph
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Junio r
om e or
n JORDAN KNAPTON
NATE BRADLEY
CATHERINE BRENNER
“I think it’s pretty outdated, and we can figure out an alternative to completely blocking social media.”
“I know whenever I go on social media, I waste tons of time, so I don’t think it’s that outdated.”
ABIGAIL HENDRICKS
“I think they should unblock social media because that’s how everybody communicates nowadays.”
“It’s outdated because we use it all the time outside of school, so it wouldn’t really make a difference.”
WHAT’S ON SHSCEDARPOST.COM? BOYS SOCCER EARNS 3-1 WIN
On Tuesday, Aug. 29, boy’s soccer defeated Post Falls 3-1 in a non league game at Pine Street Field, capping an undefeated stretch against 5A opponents.
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XC DUAL VS. TIMBERLAKE
Bulldog cross country faced off against the Timberlake Tigers in a dual meet, distinguishing the key varsity runners this year and prepping for league competition.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
EMADs weren’t the only ones in the weight room this summer: take a look behind the scenes of Bulldog Cross Country’s training.
DATES TO REMEMBER
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september SENIOR SUNRISE
27
POWDERPUFF FOOTBALL
29
HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME
30
HOMECOMING DANCE