Facebook

I have mixed feelings on whether I want to be friends with students on facebook. On one hand, I find it helpful in communicating quickly with them if need be and keeping up with technology, etc. On the other hand, I really don't want all these kids knowing my personal life, and really it often becomes a hassle seeing things they post too. Their parents should really pay more attention to their children's activities (but that's a whole other can of worms). Okay, with that said, here are the events from yesterday.

From 5-7pm, I teach a middle school class. Most of them are in 8th grade. Some are freshmen. Some are a little younger. One of the 8th grade teachers in their academic school has her students make a scrapbook every year. Every year, I get a handful of students asking me to write them a letter for their scrapbook. Okay, no big deal. Yesterday, two of those eighth graders brought in their cameras so they could add pictures to their scrapbook too. Normally, I would have thought this was fine.

But, back in February, when the advanced class was trying on their costumes, someone took a picture of them posing and put it on facebook. Oh, the horror! I know! Well, the director saw the picture and decided there would be no more pictures posted online unless the teacher/director posts them. She said she's trying to avoid a potential problem.

I informed the picture takers of this rule. After they were done with my class, they went into ballet and complained to Miss Plie' about the rule. She told them it was their right to post pictures on their facebook. I informed Miss Plie' of the director's decision. She said it was stupid and told them to go ahead a post the pictures. Argh. I know this is going to come back to me and I'm going to have to hear it.