By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Hays High School had a school-wide discussion session Wednesday about the use of social media, specifically Instagram after several questionable Instagram accounts came to light using Hays High School in the hash tag.
Principal Shawn Henderson, in a letter home to parents and a video presented to students, explained that harassment on social media was a violation of school policy and possibly a violation of the law.
Sites shared photos of bad parking in the Hays High parking lot, included the hashtag bad hair day, and included photos of students sleeping in class. One site included pictures allegedly taken in the boys bathroom, mostly of people's feet.
"The most common thing we heard from our students is that it's supposed to be funny," Henderson said, "so one of the questions that we asked is do you understand the difference between laughing at and laughing with.
"Things that are OK with me and my friends in a close-knit group is different than posting it on social media for the whole world to see. Trying to help students see that balance point is challenging."
The accounts were reported by a combination of teachers, students and parents.
No disciplinary action has been taken against any students at this time, Henderson said. He said Thursday in an interview with the Hays Post his hope was by prompting discussions, the students responsible would take the accounts down.
"Our hope was that in Hays last night that there were parents and students having these conversations," Henderson said Thursday, "families and students having conversations, 'If you're involved in this, stop. It's hurtful to people.' "
In his video, Henderson encouraged those who created the Instagram to take them down. He urged students to not contribute to such accounts and to not like or share content from the accounts.
During Pride Time on Wednesday, teachers also engaged students in discussions about the use of social media and how it might harm others.
Once the high school determined that the problem was community wide, Henderson said he felt he had to engage teachers, students and send correspondence out to families
"What I mean by community-wide is there are so many kids who have access to Instagram, and it's out there, and it's so fast," Henderson said. "So many times it's impersonal, but at the same time so personal."
Each teacher at Hays High has a chart in their room that notes what level of use students can have of their cellphone during class. Red means none. The cell phone needs to be put away.
Yellow is some use if it is not intrusive, and green means phones can be actively used in classroom activities. The students are also allowed to use their phones freely during their lunch periods.
HHS officials have considered further restricting the use of cell phones during school hours.
"We have given them some autonomy to have their cellphones at lunch, which is a change from years past. They have the autonomy to do that," Henderson said.
"What I intentionally wanted was for those students to grapple with the idea 'Do the decisions I'm making impact my level of autonomy?'"
Hays Middle School Principal Tom Albers said the school was working with the high school and continuing to educate its students about appropriate use of social media.
HMS has the same harassment and bullying policies as the high school.
He said he hopes the social media issues do not filter down to the middle school, but acknowledged misuse of social media was problem among youth across the nation.
"We deal with it when we hear about it," Albers said.
HMS does not allow the use of cellphones during school hours.
As the high school moves forward, officials plan to implement a social and emotional curriculum at the school. Other schools in the district have already implemented social and emotional learning programs to meet state accreditation goals.
School officials are considering incorporating these lessons during Pride Time or creating Mindset Monday activities.
This is a goal school officials have been working on since the start of the school year and hope to have in place next semester, Henderson said.
"When we start to talk about the social emotional wellness of our students and we start to talk about what they see and what they have access to," Henderson said, "I think that is a conversation and a collaboration with everyone who cares for and works with kids. ...
"They're faced with a lot, and they see a lot. We have to come together to have these conversations, sometimes difficult conversations."