Policy Regarding Electronic Communication with District 204 Employees

In this fast-paced world, electronic communications, especially electronic mail, have made correspondence easy and nearly effortless. Indian Prairie supports this form of communication and the school district has developed its particular flavor of "e-mail culture."

Parents should note that with the ease of communication comes the need to protect student information, such as individual test scores, grades and other indicators of academic achievement as well as other confidential student information.

To start e-mail communication with a faculty member about a child, the parent should first initiate a parent conference that is either in person or over the telephone. A good time to offer an e-mail address is at an open-house (curriculum night) that occurs early in the school year or in a note form home stating the e-mail address. If the address is shared by other family members, then the parent should offer a "code word" to inform the teacher that communication has the proper origination.

Employees are not authorized to release student information in any form, paper or electronic, without parent permission. If previous permission is not granted as described above, then the employee will respond with a message that information cannot be released to that electronic mail address without permission from the parent.

Furthermore, it should be noted that over 75% of a teacher's work day is teaching students or supervising students. Parents should know that an electronic message may not be answered for 24 to 48 hours because the inquiry may require research. During the school's curriculum night, ask the teacher for an expected turn-around time for messages.

Parental assistance with this issue will insure that confidential student information stays confidential, but yet keep open communication between the home and the classroom for parents to address school issues at home and 204 teachers to challenge and support students at school.

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