School Web Page Standards

The purpose of the CBCS web server is to enhance instruction and provide the community with information about the Council Bluffs Community School district.  These guidelines were created to ensure that visitors have a positive experience when browsing through our school district.  All teacher and student pages should reflect the goals and ideals of Council Bluffs Community Schools.
Here is a Checklist of things to consider BEFORE you submit your page to your school's webmaster.

I.  Initial requirements

A.	Building administration and the "Web team" meet to define the purpose and scope of the pages.
B.	Principal designates an individual (the "Webmaster") to be responsible for the pages and tells the CBCS Webmaster who the individual is.  Meetings with those webmasters will be arranged to discuss issues and ensure consistency across the district.

II.  School's Main Index Page

A.	Must include school name, address, phone/fax, administrator (preferably at top)
B.	Link to CBCS home page
C.	Footer which includes           1.  School name           2.  Council Bluffs Community Schools           3.  School address           4.  Council Bluffs, Iowa    51503           5.  Last Updated on Month/Day/Year           6.  Comments To: your school's web representative

NOTE:  Outside links (ex. CNN, Weather Channel. Etc.) should NOT be included on the school's main page.  School related links can be made on pages below the School's main index page.

III.  Required Content

A.

All pages below the school's main index page should include:           1.  A link to the school main index page           2.  A link to CBCS home page           3.  The email address of the teacher responsible for the page/pages           4.  A footer which includes                -School Name                -School Address                -Council Bluffs, Iowa    (Zip Code)                -Last Updated on Month/Day/Year                -Comments To: your school's webmaster

B.

Not allowed           1.  Links to any personal pages (staff or student).           2.  Advertising or promotion of personal products, services or membership in                organizations not school affiliated.           3.  "Under Construction" signs.  Post only pages that are complete and fully functional.           4.  Anything offensive or vulgar such as:                     -Pornography                     -Foul Language                     -Anything Illegal                     -Pyramid Schemes                     -Promotion of racism or violence

IV.  Student names

A.	Information about students that might reasonably be expected to be published by the local media (recognition, awards, competition results, etc.) may include first and last names.  All other student listings (club membership, sample work, etc.) shall consist of first names and last initials only.
B.	Student pictures (group or individual) with names are allowed only if parents have signed a release form and understand what publication on the Web means.  Forms should be kept in a central location in the building.

V.  Design Suggestions:  (Simple is better!)

A.	Graphics:           -Keep the number of pictures to a minimum.  Graphics slow the loading process.           -Keep content of page in mind.  Graphics should supplement content.
B.	Colors and Background:           -Try to avoid colors that distract from or clash with the text or images on page.           -Text colors should be consistent and compatible with background.
C.	Fonts:  Size and Style           -Fonts must be easy to read.  Size 12 is recommended for main body of information.           -Headings may be larger.  (Recommend 16 or larger)
D.	Content           -Only school related topics can be included on the school's pages.           -Links to outside sites should be for curriculum or information purposes.           -Things to think about regarding content
E.	Who’s Responsible?           -Although all teachers may compose a page or pages, only ONE person should be            responsible for maintaining the school’s links to the district’s home page.  The teacher            should include his/her email link so that those who view the site have means to            communicate.  The district will provide connectivity from your building to the district’s            web site.

VI.  Copyright  Issues

A.	Copyright law and district copyright policies must be followed.  If the image/text does not say "FREE", e-mail the author and ask permission.

VII.  Issues to Keep in Mind

A.	School’s main page should be designed so that it does not need constant updating BUT Keep your page up to date.
B.	Teacher pages should be maintained by the teacher.  The easiest way would probably be to create the site and save it to a disk.  Give the disk to your webmaster, who will load it to the CBCS Web Server.
C.	ONE web master in each school
D.	Reminder of copyright laws
E.	While any web editing software will work, support and training is offered in Adobe Contribute
F.	Keep the number of link layers to a minimum.  Like tunnels in a cave, too many turns (clicks) may cause a visitor to get lost!

VIII. Checklist of things to do BEFORE you submit your page to your school's webmaster.
          -Example for school index page
          -Example for faculty-created pages
          -Netscape Composer Tutorial

IX.  Web master Responsibilities:
          -Adds and removes web pages connected to the CB server at teacher's request
          -Checks links to make sure they work properly
          -Checks pages to make sure they follow web guidelines
          -Communicates with other district web masters regarding web management issues

Important Notice:
It is up to the web master and building principal to accept or reject any other requests made by teachers and/or students.

Council Bluffs Community Schools
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Last Updated on 09/20/2007
Comments To:
webmaster@council-bluffs.k12.ia.us
HAVE A GREAT DAY!