Page 14 - south whidbey family hand book 2018 -2019 e-book

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Privacy

Notification of Rights Under administrator, supervisor, instructor or Social Media
FERPA support staff member (including Social media technology has had an im-
The Family Educational Rights and Pri- health or medical staff and law en- pact on our world and lives. People that
vacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and forcement unit personnel); a person we might otherwise not hear from are now
students over 18 years of age (“eligible serving on the school board; a person a click away and our lives have the poten-
students”) certain rights with respect to or company with whom the school tial of being an “open book”. Our thoughts,
the student’s education records. These has contracted to perform a special ideas, photos and happenings can be
task (such as an attorney, auditor,
rights are: posted continuously and instantly. All of
medical consultant, or therapist); or a these things have social and educational
The right to inspect and review the stu- parent or student serving on an offi- implications.
dent’s educational records within 45 cial committee, such as a disciplinary One area of concern is posting photos as
days of the day the school receives a or grievance committee, or assisting they relate to student confidentiality and
request for access. Parents or eligible another school official in performing safety. Here are some guidelines for you
students should submit to the school his or her tasks. A school official has to consider when using Facebook, Insta-
principal a written request that identifies a legitimate educational interest if the gram, etc.:
the record (s) they wish to inspect. The official needs to review an education-
principal will make arrangements for al record in order to fulfill his or her Many parents do not want their child’s
access and notify the parent or eligible professional responsibility. Upon re- photo online. Written permission from the
student of the time and place where the quest, the school discloses education child’s parent/guardian must be received
records may be inspected. records without consent to officials of prior to posting any pictures from school/
classroom events. This is for your own
The right to request the amendment of another school district in which a stu- protection as well as the protection of the
the student’s education records that the dent seeks or intends to enroll. student (s).
parent or eligible student believes are The right to file a complaint with the
inaccurate. Parents or eligible students U.S. Department of Education con- Do not tag or list students’ last names on
may ask the school to amend a record cerning alleged failures by the school posted photos.
that they believe is inaccurate. They district to comply with the require- Any photo taken by a company is copy-
should write the school principal, clearly ments of FERPA. The name and ad- righted and should not be posted (e.g.,
identify the part of the record they want dress of the office that administers class and individual student pictures).
changed, and specify why it is inaccu- FERPA are: Family Policy Compli-
rate. If the school decides not to amend ance Office, U.S. Department of Edu- Pictures should not be taken at school for
the record as requested by the parent cation, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, the purpose of posting on-line. Prior per-
or eligible student, the school will notify Washington D.C. 20202-5901. mission from the school office must be
the parent or eligible student of the de- obtained anytime you take pictures on
cision and advise them of their right to a campus. Office staff must also screen
hearing regarding the request for Photographs pictures taken for yearbooks and annuals,
amendment. Additional information re- Occasionally the school or district since parents can opt out of having their
garding the hearing procedures will be staff take photographs of students for student’s picture included.
provided to the parent or eligible stu- use in district or school-produced Student photos are not to be used to pro-
dent when notified of the right to a hear- materials (for example: annual year- mote a business of any kind.
ing. books, newsletters, school or district Our school district recommends that staff
website, videos, or presentations, to
The right to consent to disclosures of name a few) or for use in the news members do not “friend” our families or
personally identifiable information con- media. If you do not wish to have students. This is to make sure to keep
tained in the student’s education rec- your child’s photograph released, you professional boundaries.
ords, except to the extent that FERPA must notify the school in writing.
authorizes disclosure without consent. Parents objecting to the release of We appreciate your willingness to adhere
One exception, which permits disclo- their child’s photograph should notify to these guidelines. As a school district,
sure without consent, is disclosure to the school as soon as possible after we are responsible for the safety of our
school officials with legitimate educa- the school year has begun. students while they are on school
tional interests. A school official is a grounds.
person employed by the school as an

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