Washoe Country School District
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WCSD Web Guidelines
All pages on WCSD school websites must comply with the following requirements
- Site administrators are responsible for creating and maintaining a web presence.
- Each school must have at least one individual that is responsible for maintaining the content on the schools site. This individual can be an employee, volunteer, parent, or student.
- All school sites will be hosted on WCSD servers.
Content
- Site administrators or department heads are responsible for the content of their site.
- Persons who create and maintain web pages will edit the pages for accuracy of links, and check for conformance with standards outlined in these guidelines
- Individual school sites must contain a faculty and calendar page. This is in addition to the home or index page.
- Content must be directly related to the WCSD mission and not in conflict with any district policies, rules or regulations.
- Content should be well organized and be relative to the intended audience.
- Content may not violate any federal, state or local laws.
- No personal pages may be published.
- All pages must be academic, school or department related.
- Only organizations officially affiliated with WCSD may publish websites on the district network.
- Links to non-affiliated sites may, however, be included on district or school sites.
- Correct grammar and spelling must be used.
- The home page of each site must contain the site name (school, department, etc.), a link to the WCSD home page, and the name and email address of the site webmaster.
- Each site must also contain the official WCSD logo letting users know they are viewing a site of the Washoe County School District.
- Websites may not contain commercial advertisements.
- If a helper application is needed to view the site, a link to that download site may be used.
- Recognition of a school's Partner in Education is permissible.
- Written and dated permission must be secured from the parent or guardian before any student work can be placed on the web. Permission forms must be kept at the school.
- District, school and departmental pages will not use text, graphics, multimedia or copyrighted material from other websites without the written consent of the author. When used, such material must acknowledge the source.
- Site must contain an email address to contact the person responsible for updating the site. (the webmaster)
Content Guidelines - Style / Readability
- Navigation should be easy to understand and page titles clearly state the content within the page they navigate to.
- Splash pages are not prohibited but frowned upon.
- Sites should be attractive and incorporate school colors, mascots, and logos.
- Content should be left justified unless absolutely necessary.
- Text should be easy to read. Text other than that of graphics or navigation should be black on a white background. Some script fonts while attractive can be hard to read and therefore should be avoided. Questions regarding a sites readability and overall attractiveness can usually be ascertained by getting opinions from those who will be using the site. It is a good idea to question those users and get their opinions on the readability, attractiveness and organization of the site.
Links
The great advantage of the Internet is its ability to guide users to related sites. Developers are encouraged to use links within the following parameters.
- Links may not conflict with WCSD rules and regulations.
- Links to potentially offensive sites are not permitted.
- The district's webmaster shall be the final arbiter of what is offensive or inappropriate.
- The district webmaster may remove inappropriate links without notice.
- Email links are permitted only to district or staff email addresses.
- Links to student email addresses are not permitted.
- All links should be periodically verified.
Privacy
- Personal contact information for students, parents, and faculty, including home and e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, and other information will not be published on any website.
- In order for student names, photographs and projects to be included on the public area of the WCSD website, there must be a release signed by the student's parent or legal guardian on file.
Publishing of Photographs
- Photos add much to the interest and visual appeal of sites. They can help with understanding of activities and programs. Care must be taken, however, to avoid including personal information about subjects.
- Student photos should illustrate the activity and may not be individual portraits. Captions should identify the activity but not identify the students by name. Addresses and phone numbers of students must never be used.
- Pictures of students may only be used after securing the written and dated permission of the student's parent or guardian.
Copyright
- District, school and departmental pages will not use text, graphics, multimedia or copyrighted material from other websites without the written consent of the author. When used, such material must acknowledge the source.
This page is maintained by the district webmaster. For questions regarding the information on this page please email mmorris@washoeschools.net
