CPSC Parent Corner

The CPSC Google Group is an unmoderated list. There are no "editors" checking to make sure that posts are appropriate. So it's up to us to remain considerate and observe email etiquette.

The list discussions can get quite lively at times. The free flow of ideas and viewpoints is a good thing. There are, however, a few guidelines we should all follow, including:

• RESPECT OTHER MEMBERS: Please exercise diplomacy, tact, thoughtfulness, self-restraint and respect for others' point of view. It's possible to disagree without being disagreeable. Remember that online communication always tends to exaggerate feelings so venting is not good to do on email, especially responding to all. If you have a concern about a particular matter, please follow-up individually and, perhaps, by phone or in person.
• IS YOUR POST OF INTEREST TO THE ENTIRE LIST? Whatever you write to the list will be read by many busy people, so please make it worthwhile. If your post is of interest to just one person, send it to them privately, not to the listserv.
  When responding to e-mails, avoid sending "Me too!", "Welcome", "Congratulations" or other singular-worded posts. Reply to that individual privately and make sure that the email that you're responding to is included
  so that they'll know what you're referring to.
• USE A SHORT DESCRIPTIVE TITLE IN THE SUBJECT FIELD, so others can quickly determine what the posting will cover. Subscribers often set up folders in their e-mail managers to store messages by topic.
• DATES ARE IMPORTANT: It is helpful to have the day of week and the date for an event rather than "tomorrow" or "next Wed".
• EMAIL IS NOT A RELIABLE WAY TO COMMUNICATE TIME-SENSITIVE INFORMATION. For folks who monitor their email regularly, it's great. For many people, however, it's hit or miss.
• KEEP YOUR POSTS SMALL: Avoid sending large files to mailing lists. Use Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) or links. Some members have a small inbox size. If your attachment is large enough, the attachment can exceed the size limit and any additional e-mail will bounce.
• PLEASE DON'T LEAVE A REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE "HANGING": People on the list are taking time away from their busy schedules to offer information/assistance. Let the list know when you've received enough help or when your problem has been solved.  Post the answer if appropriate. When seeking recommendations for camps or other needs, please ask people to send recommendations to your private e-mail address. Polite etiquette is then to post a single summary of the ideas for all of your neighbors to read.
• BE MINDFUL OF THE DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE ON THE LIST which may include parents, teachers, administrators, and even students.