In This Issue:

Social Networking Policies For School Employees By Christopher P. Stief (Philadelphia)

In our April 2011 issue, we discussed strategies for schools to limit their exposure to liability stemming from employees’ off campus interactions with students. School employees’ participation in online social networking, such as Facebook and Twitter, presents many of the same perils, but merits its own discussion because of the unique aspects of online interactions. Recognizing that faculty and staff likely are using social media at an increasing pace, schools should formulate and communicate policies for staff online social media interactions with students and parents....

Cyberbullying: A Continuing Concern For Schools By J. Freedley Hunsicker (Philadelphia)

School bullying has been a problem that schools have wrestled with for years. Traditionally, much of the focus has centered on students being bullied because of their religious, ethnic or life-choice identifications. In a recent and highly publicized situation in Philadelphia, Asian students were targeted by African-American students at South Philadelphia High School. In many instances over the years, students who identify as gay have been publically bullied. Most of the bullying has involved violence, threats, merciless teasing and behaviors that are customarily regarded as schoolyard or playground bullying....