Video Conferencing Rules of Student Engagement :

(Preparing for video conference (e.g., Google Hangout, Zoom meeting); Dress Code & Background

Although our classes are moving from campus to Google Hangout or Zoom for now, it is still the responsibility of all students to dress appropriately for school. We are not going to ask you to be in SST- North West school uniform; however, just like when you are on campus, your personal appearance should promote a positive, distraction-free learning environment. Please refer to our guidelines for “Free Dress” in our Student Handbook. (Page 13)

Please consider your surroundings. Your background should be orderly, clean, and distraction-free. Take care and monitor your surroundings and if possible set a virtual background using an appropriate image (Not all devices support virtual background, but if yours does then you can find it settings under virtual backgrounds). Consider the objects in your immediate surroundings and ensure that any decals, poster, or other backgrounds objects that might display are appropriate for school.

Students cannot video conference with their teacher and classmates from their bedrooms or private areas of the home such as restrooms. We ask families to create an area in the home that is shared such as the kitchen table, home office, or living room.

If you have specific questions about appropriate dress and background images, please contact Ms. Glenn at bglenn@ssttx.org

Video Conferencing with Students:

The approved videoconferencing for SST-North West is Zoom and Google Hangouts. Staff may conduct classes and communicate with student with Google Hangouts/Zoom, but must observe the following guidelines:

1. One-on-one video conferencing with students is strictly prohibited, with the sole exception of Special Education,Dyslexia, and ESL.

2. If at all possible, individualized help should be provided over school email; however, due to these circumstances; staff will be permitted to provide individualized Zoom or Google Hangout meetings in the following formats:

a. With a parent or guardian present

b. With another SST-North West employee present

c. In groups with four or more students

3. Students do not need Zoom accounts and Google Hangout link can be shared with students to host meetings. Students should only join meetings as invited by SST-North West staff. If a parent has a concern about the content of a meeting, they should immediately contact Ms. Glenn (bglenn@ssttx.org) with their concern.

4. Staff may record their Zoom/ Google Hangout meetings at their discretion (for example, to provide future delivery or provide video snippets of content)

5. Students may not record any class or meeting unless they have obtained permission from the prior teacher to class or meeting time. Recording any class without explicit permission from the teacher will be considered a serious violation of our Code of Conduct.

We firmly believe that quality learning and student engagement can happen at a distance, and we have confidence both in the people and in the technology involved in our Distance Learning Plan. As noted, students will be invited to participate in distance learning with SST-North West, including videoconferencing with Zoom and Google Hangouts. If you wish to restrict your student’s participation in distance learning, such restrictions need to be sent in writing via email or parent square to their teacher; please understand, however, that should you restrict your student’s participation in distance learning, it may limit our ability to deliver on our pledge to continue educating your child.