Social media has not been heavily emphasized or used in Pacific Church Schools historically. This trend is changing, and schools are being encouraged to use social media as part of their communications strategy if it makes sense for them to do so. Outlined below are several commonly asked questions relating to social media use in the Church Schools of the Pacific.


Are Pacific Church Schools allowed to use social media channels such as Facebook?

Yes. S&I policy dictates that the use of social media is permitted for the Church Schools of the Pacific. Currently, Church Schools are permitted to utilize two social media platforms: Facebook and Twitter.


Do any Church School social media pages already exist?

Yes. Most schools have created their own Facebook page and are using the platform to communicate with students, parents, and the wider community. In addition to these individual pages that represent individual schools, an “area” page has also been created to represent the Pacific Church Schools as a combined community. 

 

What is the purpose of having a Facebook page for my school?

Facebook pages belonging to individual schools are managed by the schools themselves and are used to post news and announcements relating to faculty and students. These pages may also be used for:

  • Sharing noteworthy stories
  • Sharing photos and other content that showcase the good work of the schools
  • Providing critical updates during extreme weather conditions or natural disasters
  • Creating a sense of community with parents, students, and other interested parties

 

What is the purpose of the Pacific Schools Facebook page?

The Pacific Schools Facebook page is managed by the Area team and is used as an umbrella page for communications, news, and stories relating to all Church Schools in the Pacific. Other reasons for the page include:

  • Sharing training resources with staff and faculty
  • Creating a sense of community across the 15 schools of the Pacific
  • Managing public perception about the vision, purpose, and work of Church Schools
  • Showcasing the good work occurring in the Pacific Church School community

 

Am I required to have a social media presence at my school?

No. The use of social media by individual Pacific Church Schools is optional but strongly encouraged.

 

Are there any policy guidelines that Church Schools must abide by when using social media?

Yes. Guidelines for social media pages are found in the Church Schools Policy Manual. The guidelines in the policy manual should be followed when creating and using social media pages. If you require any support with understanding and implementing the policy, please contact the Area communications team: ps-communications@churchofjesuschrist.org

 

If I already have a Facebook page for my school, is there anything I need to change?

Maybe. Some of the settings on local school pages may need to be adjusted to align with S&I policy. The policy exists to help keep online experiences as safe as possible for staff and students. Please contact the Area Office if you have any questions.


Is there any training available for setting up Facebook pages and groups at my school?

Yes. The Area Office can provide training via Zoom to help schools with their social media strategy and setup. Articles and guides are also available on FreshDesk:

 

Can we use any other channels besides Facebook?

Yes. Aside from Facebook, Twitter is also an approved social media channel.

 

Generally speaking, we discourage the use of Facebook during school hours and sometimes social media platforms may be blocked during school hours, to help prioritize bandwidth for teaching, learning, and administrative needs. Social channels can, however, be accessed before or after school hours for work-related communications as needed.


NOTE: During times of lock-down or natural disasters etc, schools may need to use Facebook as their main source of communication. During such times, Facebook use during school hours is encouraged and supported. If you have any issues with social media being blocked during school hours, please do not hesitate to contact the Area Office for support.

 

How do I get started with Social Media at my school?

We encourage you to use a communications committee to lead the communication efforts at your school, including those carried out via social media. In some schools, the committee may have several members. In other schools, the committee may have only one person. The Area Office can provide support for any schools that have questions about using social media at their campus. Please contact the Area communications team if you require more information: ps-communications@churchofjesuschrist.org

 

Who can help me improve my social media usage and strategy?

The Area Office can provide support for any schools that have questions about using social media at their school. Please contact the Area communications team for more information: ps-communications@churchofjesuschrist.org