High school, a critical stage in life, is full of unforgettable memories and influential people. Many connections from high school remain intact for years after,  with students not wanting to sever every connection of the last four years, but many are lost due to time and distance. As students graduate and leave Sherwood, many participate in the relatively new tradition of adding their teachers on Facebook.

A number of Sherwood teachers are known to accept students’ friend requests after graduation. One of them is AP Psychology teacher Christine McKeldin. “I usually just accept them if they have attended Sherwood, but every now and then I go through and get rid of people that I haven’t really talked to in a while or I just don’t really know,” said McKeldin.

by Randi Arizona

Students get excited about the idea of having a different kind of relationship with teachers through social networking. Kids add teachers that have been mentors they would want to keep in touch with outside of the classroom. “It’s a ‘we are finally out of high school’ rite of passage, because it shows that in the eyes of teachers we are now adults, who they can build relationships [with] that extend beyond the walls of Sherwood High School,” said senior Gai Kaufman.

Teachers enjoy when students they haven’t seen or talked to since they attended Sherwood add them. Many find it interesting to see their students’ new lives, especially if they have gotten married or had kids.

There is no MCPS policy for teachers to follow regarding students and Facebook once students graduate. Nonetheless, some teachers are more selective of who they add. “I am definitely selective about who I accept on social media,” said AP Biology teacher Allison Erdman. “It’s my private life and I have personal pictures of family on it. I’m fine with adding a former student I know or have taught and gotten close to, but not just everyone that it says is from Sherwood.”

English teacher Patty Jasnow agrees with Erdman, saying she will only accept friend requests from students she knows well. “I’m not that active on Facebook. I do accept some students but not ones I didn’t know very well and not while they are still attending Sherwood. It’s important to keep my school life separate from my personal one,” said Jasnow.