Terms of use for closed SN facebook group?

[mirandah]

I'm creating a closed SN parent FB group for my son's school. I have the blessing of the chair of the SN Parents Group that meets in person. We are a fledgling group; maybe 4-5 parents meet regularly. I suggested a FB group because I think support groups can be intimidating in person, not to mention difficult to plan and organize. Right now ours meets during the day because the only regular attendees are SAHM's, so I can't attend the groups.

The parent chair suggested I at least invite the school social worker to join the group. I am declining to do so. I think it would have a chilling effect on posting. However, I don't want it to become a school-bashing site. The chair suggested I add a carefully worded terms of use disclaimer to the page. I'm kicking around language that I see on various boards, but does anyone have some boilerplate they think should or shouldn't be included? I'm trying to find a balance between "share your issues freely" and "don't bash on the teachers."

Thoughts? Thanks!!

ETA: I want to make sure kids with either 504s or IEPs join to get the full spectrum of "special needs". Should I explicitly so state when advertising the group in our weekly PTA newsletter? Or is "special education" broad enough that most parents know what that is?

[mrsbuttinski]

You might want to poke around the internet at area SEPTAs (Special Education PTA) for ideas about how to create this group, what the rules should be and who should be included.

This is a link to the national group-
www.pta.org/parents/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2100

Many districts have these, so you may find other iterations online.

On one hand, including the social worker would be a collaborative gesture, but it will undermine expanding your membership. TBH, I wouldn't feel safe in such a group and wouldn't join.

While I am as "anti-teacher bashing" as they come in spedworld, there have been times when I needed a safe place to be talked off the wall. Many of the groups to which I have belonged over the years have been actively moderated to set the tone the discourages that as the primary purpose; would that work with such a small group?

I don't have any advise on wording the invitation. Even when kids are served by an IEP, and especially by a Sec 504, parents may not see them or their child in the context of special education. Some see it as a place rather that a service. Some see it as a temporary "extra help" situation in place until their child outgrows the need.

[mirandah]

Thanks, mrsbuttinski,. I don't plan on moderating- I'd be surprised if 10-15 parents join the group. I want people to share openly. I just hope they play together nicely! I wouldn't join if staff were members either. Moreover I want it to be a place where people can identify parents of other kids with SN. With privacy laws it makes it impossible to do so. DS informed me recently that two of his friends have ADHD. He seemed kindof excited about it, and has been spending more time with them. I don't know their parents well enough to be like, so, do you wanna join a SN FB group?! I'm sure they see whatever accommodations their kids may have as "extra help" as you pointed out.

[anintrovert]

I'm part of a FB page that is geared toward advocacy. We also meet once a month and talk at the Board of Ed and other committees. Our only rule is no District employees. They can come to our in person meetings but they cannot be on the FB page. There has been some sharing of specific experiences but no really out right district bashing. I'm not sure I would worry about it unless it becomes an issue.

[bubbalicious]

Parents need a safe place. It is great to be able to discuss information quickly and necessary. I belong to a local group. It is worth it. Occasionally a parent looking to move here asks for information. Not sure you could find it otherwise.