Anonymous wrote:Because of my political work, some online kooks have tried to find my child and came close at one point (DC’s daycare was included on a list of possbile locations for the kooks to check out). For that reason, I’m more cautious than most parents about photo releases or directories.

+1

By opting out you're saying that they have to contact you for each individual request before releasing your info -- so, if they want to add your name to the school directory handed out to students they will ask you before immediately adding your name. If you want to be "invited to birthday parties" then you'll just say yes to that particular request. But you're not giving blanketed permissions for them to give your information out to whoever they choose. This seems like the right decision to me.

Anonymous wrote:My memory is that the release only says that dcps needs to contact you before sharing info. If you don’t sign, they’ll release it without asking first.

You are correct. If you don't opt-out, the information can be released. For those who are interested, this is what the form says. Some emphasis added in bold by me.


Release of Student Directory Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that requires DCPS, with certain exceptions, to get your permission before disclosing personally identifiable information from education records. However, DCPS may disclose basic “directory information” that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy without your consent. The primary purpose of directory information disclosure is to allow DCPS to include this type of information in certain school publications such as pamphlets for drama productions, graduation programs, honor rolls or sports team activity sheets for football, basketball, etc. Directory information can also be disclosed to outside organizations such as federal and state agencies offering jobs and educational benefits, media sources, and companies that make class rings and publish yearbooks.

The information listed below has been designated as directory information under District of Columbia law and FERPA, and may therefore be released at the discretion of DCPS. You have the right to instruct DCPS that it may not release any or all of this information without obtaining your prior written consent by completing this form. Your decision on this form will be valid for the remainder of the current school year. A new Release of Student Directory Information form must be completed each School Year.

Please place a check mark on the line beside any directory information items listed below that you do not want DCPS to disclose without your consent, if any.

Student Name
Student Telephone Listing
Name of School Attending
Participation in Officially Recognized Activities and Sports
Weight and Height of Members of Athletic Team
Diplomas and Awards Received
Student Address
Student’s Date and Place of Birth
Names of Schools Previously Attended
Dates of Attendance

By signing below I am giving written notification to DCPS that it may not disclose the directory information items I have placed a check mark beside above unless I give prior written consent. I understand that such information may still be disclosed by DCPS if disclosure is otherwise permissible under FERPA.

*If this form is not returned by September 15, it will be assumed that the above information may be designated as directory information for the remainder of the school year. *

Anonymous wrote:All of our teachers thus far have also asked us to fill out an info sheet so they can put a class email list together. To be honest, as a result of this, I have been placed on a few lists from local realtors who happen to have kids in the same class....which I find to be a misuse of the info.

Definitely misuse of the info. Stuff like that is part of why I hate realtors so much.

My memory is that the release only says that dcps needs to contact you before sharing info. If you don’t sign, they’ll release it without asking first.

Anonymous wrote:Because of my political work, some online kooks have tried to find my child and came close at one point (DC’s daycare was included on a list of possbile locations for the kooks to check out). For that reason, I’m more cautious than most parents about photo releases or directories.

Thanks for the context PPs above - I had originally opted out, but it sounds like directories could possibly be electronic only, behind password protected firewall, etc. I’ll call our PK-3 and verify. I don’t want my kid to be left out of invites just because people on the internet can be crazy.

Just an idea but could you set us a completely separate email account that you use only for school info and have that be the only thing included? This would still give other parents a way to contact you for things like playdates and birthday parties.

Do parents ever use the emails to advertise their own businesses, like real estate agents? Or do schools have rules against solicitation from other parents?

Because of my political work, some online kooks have tried to find my child and came close at one point (DC’s daycare was included on a list of possbile locations for the kooks to check out). For that reason, I’m more cautious than most parents about photo releases or directories.

Thanks for the context PPs above - I had originally opted out, but it sounds like directories could possibly be electronic only, behind password protected firewall, etc. I’ll call our PK-3 and verify. I don’t want my kid to be left out of invites just because people on the internet can be crazy.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know what that is because our school directory is put out by the PTA not DCPS. We sign a separate release for that. DCPS isn’t compiling any directories for parents.

At some schools the school will release the directory info to the PTA, for them to use to encourage people to join.

If you opt out your kid probably won’t get many bday party invites. If you’re fine with that, then do it.

I literally never used the directory for any other reason.

I don’t know what that is because our school directory is put out by the PTA not DCPS. We sign a separate release for that. DCPS isn’t compiling any directories for parents.

If you opt-out everyone at your school will assume you are a boundary or residency cheater.

For our school it was put into the printed directory (handed out one per student) and the online directory (password and account required). I have not received any SPAM from the school (other than official school emails saying "eat at this restaurant to earn money for the school" and such).

All of our teachers thus far have also asked us to fill out an info sheet so they can put a class email list together. To be honest, as a result of this, I have been placed on a few lists from local realtors who happen to have kids in the same class....which I find to be a misuse of the info.

I gave the info because I want other parents to be able to reach us for bday parties. I haven’t gotten any school related spam.

I'm not sure what to put on the "Release of Student Directory Information" form, mostly because I'm not sure what stuff they'd release info for. I don't want to get spammed by a bunch of businesses who get my kids info from the school, but I also don't want to block my kid from showing up in a school directory or something like that. And the examples mentioned on the form are all for older kids (my kid is going into PK3), so they're not too helpful.

Any idea what DCPS actually releases info for? And for those of you with PK-age kids, how do you all fill in this form?