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08/15/2008 12:08:15 PM · #1 |
I got back from England to a stack of paperwork for two of my kids for their school. This is one of the pieces of paper, I am totally shocked and flabbergasted that this is even allowed. Think of the implications of having this on their website.
District Internet Website Release Form
Blah Blah blah, this will be on the internet and such postings may include some or all of the following:
A photography of your son/daughter
His/her first and last name
Age
Grade Level
Teacher
coach or sponsors name
The Name of the school your child attends
and information about your son/daughter's school work, activities or achiements.[/b]
I mean could you make it ANY easier for someone to hand pick their selection of child to abduct or go for?
Is it just me or is this every school, seriously even with the line of work I did, I had no idea that this was out there, I am stunned beyond belief!
Message edited by author 2008-08-15 12:21:56. |
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08/15/2008 12:12:28 PM · #2 |
Our school (private) does not allow any of this information to be on the internet, and actually will not show picutres of any student on its website. The information that they requested and may show smacks of insanity...
Originally posted by JulietNN:
I got back from England to a stack of paperwork for two of my kids for their school. This is one of the pieces of paper, I am totally shocked and flabbergasted that this is even allowed. Think of the implications of having this on their website.
District Internet Website Release Form
Blah Blah blah, this will be on the internet and such postings may include some or all of the following:
A photography of your son/daughter
His/her first and last name
Age
Grade Level
Teacher
coach or sponsors name
The Name of the school your child attends
and information about your son/daughter's school work, activities or achiements.
I mean could you make it ANY easier for someone to hand pick their selection of child to abduct or go for?
Is it just me or is this every school, seriously even with the line of work I did, I had no idea that this was out there, I am stunned beyond belief! |
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08/15/2008 12:12:46 PM · #3 |
Will this info be used on a website that the general public can access?
Originally posted by JulietNN:
I got back from England to a stack of paperwork for two of my kids for their school. This is one of the pieces of paper, I am totally shocked and flabbergasted that this is even allowed. Think of the implications of having this on their website.
District Internet Website Release Form
Blah Blah blah, this will be on the internet and such postings may include some or all of the following:
A photography of your son/daughter
His/her first and last name
Age
Grade Level
Teacher
coach or sponsors name
The Name of the school your child attends
and information about your son/daughter's school work, activities or achiements.
I mean could you make it ANY easier for someone to hand pick their selection of child to abduct or go for?
Is it just me or is this every school, seriously even with the line of work I did, I had no idea that this was out there, I am stunned beyond belief! |
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08/15/2008 12:14:22 PM · #4 |
Yes it is general access for all and sundrie to see.
My gob is still hanging open over this, |
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08/15/2008 12:16:57 PM · #5 |
Probably thats why they ahave a form... they need you to sigh it in order to be legal to show those kind of information on the web.
No way that kind of info of my son would be in the web... I would talk with them and reason them out so ALL the kids info would be off, or at least protected by a secure site and password only for the teachers and parents to look. If you cant reason them out... I woul bring this to public or make them talk with my atourney.
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08/15/2008 12:18:58 PM · #6 |
Most likely it is a cover your you know what policy by the school district.
For example, say your kid wins the science fair, and they want to post a picture of them on their website--this policy covers them. Just like getting a picture in the newspaper.
However, you may want to call and suggest that last names not be posted, or just ask for clarification on the policy.
I imagine they aren't planning on posting the yearbook online. |
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08/15/2008 12:29:55 PM · #7 |
| Tom's post (above) is most likely right. The school district is likely saying that this type of publicity may happen, that your son or daughter may be photographed, and that that picture, along with identifying information about them may appear on the internet or in print. You are being given the right to refuse or to opt out. It's not a big conspiracy or effort to invade privacy, it's just a school bureaucracy at work, trying to make sense of the world in which we live, and to protect your kids at the same time. |
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08/15/2008 12:37:48 PM · #8 |
This is pretty normal and not as sinister as you may expect. If you give release then they can post pictures from say the school play in which your kid was the star, or of the soccer team, or a science fair winner or whatever. If you opt out or restrict what they can say then they act accordingly(ie you can not list my kids name but can show their picture). It does not sound like they are making a directory or anything, just a general release for incidental photos.
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08/15/2008 12:45:41 PM · #9 |
I signed it as not giving permission, and there obviously was that option. But i am still pretty darn shocked.
and I am reading more into it than there is, but even still,,,, |
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08/15/2008 12:49:46 PM · #10 |
| be careful of the wording. The one I received from my son's school additionally included what amounted to a commercial model release for the photographer. I crossed out anything related, made a couple of word changes (like adding 'not') and then signed it. |
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08/15/2008 01:01:25 PM · #11 |
From an editorial view of this. Many of those forms are also used to allow newspapers to print photos taken at sporting events or other events held at school functions. I have run into a couple of times when schools where younger kids dont have releases signed by parents and they cant be pictured. So keep in mind that if you dont sign it, you likely would never seen little Johnny's or June's photo in the paper.
Matt
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08/15/2008 01:40:07 PM · #12 |
Im with Juliet on this one but then again my situation is a little different with my son being at the hospital so much that if someone knows his name he will go with them with little or no trouble, which is the very reason his name is not on the outside of any of his clothing. And I would be fine if he was omitted from a news article... ;)
-dave |
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08/15/2008 01:43:46 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by JulietNN:
I signed it as not giving permission, and there obviously was that option. But i am still pretty darn shocked.
and I am reading more into it than there is, but even still,,,, |
You may want to check into what not signing it entails also... What I mean is... My school has a similar form. If the parents don't give permission, the child's picture isn't in the yearbook, info not in the directory, nothing. You may be opting your kid out of stuff you don't want them opted out of...
If this is an elementary school, call the principal, if secondary, call the office and see who you should talk to about questions. If you are really concerned, speak with the president of the PTO, they should probably have a handle on it. |
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08/15/2008 02:06:05 PM · #14 |
This is not a personal attack on you. You are entitled to make whatever decisions you like for your kids as you please.
But this is just another case of Parental paranoia.
I am a parent of 3 children and the things I hear moms talk about, in the school yard waiting for their children, makes me wonder if they are spending too much time listening to bad news on the tv and not enough time with their kids. We are in a time of information overload and some people just don't know how to handle it.
Is there more crime and child abuse than ever before? Or do we just hear about it more because of the internet or because it sells papers and maskes for more interesting headlines? Endless amount of studies about what to feed ourselves and kids, how to protect ourselves from the sun, don't talk to strangers etc.etc.etc....Has made us all paranoid and afraid of interaction with others and exploring the world. Personally I am sick and tired of all the constant bombardment of bad news. I have chosen not to watch the news on TV. If you notice a half hour news program has mayhbe only 1 feel good story. Thats approx 23mins of bad news every day. Depressing!!
All this has caused this sense of being hunted by all the bad people and lurkers out there. That there are always alterior motives to everything.
Just recently there was a thread about this guy in England? that was questioned by police for taking pics of his kid in a playground. This is the paranoia I am talking about.
I choose not to succumb. Good luck to those who have. |
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08/15/2008 02:18:21 PM · #15 |
I second LVicari's post. Child abuse/abduction by a non-family member is rare. Are we flabbergasted when people let their kids swim in the ocean where they could be attacked by a shark?
How does one propose our phantom abductor will use this information? How is getting this information any different from a 10-second conversation the perpetrator could get from the child before/after school? ("What's your name? Who's your teacher?") Those two questions could glean all the information that was mentioned above from some simple detective work afterwards.
And before I'm asked. Father to two. 7 and 4. |
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08/15/2008 02:44:04 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
... How does one propose our phantom abductor will use this information? How is getting this information any different from a 10-second conversation the perpetrator could get from the child before/after school? ("What's your name? Who's your teacher?") Those two questions could glean all the information that was mentioned above from some simple detective work afterwards. ... |
Photo of Suzy Jones (made that up) runs in the local paper after she is photographed with her teacher Mrs. Coolio (made that up too) for a project making goody bags at XYZ School to send to our troops overseas.
Some "phantom abductor" shows up at XYZ School one day (after having observed when kids get out, etc...)...
Phantom says to Suzy..."Suzy - quick! Mrs. Coolio forgot to give you a letter that came from a soldier today! C'mon, over here." (takes her by the hand and leads her away).
Over the top? Maybe. While Phantoms of the world may be sick weirdos, that doesn't neccessarily mean they're stupid.
Thankfully, schools are pretty good at keeping track of kids as they come/go at school (at least in the younger grades), and hopefully parents continue to educate kids about talking to/going with strangers. |
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08/15/2008 02:44:10 PM · #17 |
regardless of the information included, it is still a release contract that should be read. As I stated before, my son's school included a commercial use clause that I refused to sign and Xed out of my copy of the release. I will not sell my son's image and I don't intend to let anyone else sell images of my son without our permission regarding image and use. I left all the other release notes in there.
Again, read ALL contracts before signing. This is not just a fear/paranoia abduction/molestation issue. |
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08/15/2008 03:04:22 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by glad2badad:
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
... How does one propose our phantom abductor will use this information? How is getting this information any different from a 10-second conversation the perpetrator could get from the child before/after school? ("What's your name? Who's your teacher?") Those two questions could glean all the information that was mentioned above from some simple detective work afterwards. ... |
Photo of Suzy Jones (made that up) runs in the local paper after she is photographed with her teacher Mrs. Coolio (made that up too) for a project making goody bags at XYZ School to send to our troops overseas.
Some "phantom abductor" shows up at XYZ School one day (after having observed when kids get out, etc...)...
Phantom says to Suzy..."Suzy - quick! Mrs. Coolio forgot to give you a letter that came from a soldier today! C'mon, over here." (takes her by the hand and leads her away).
Over the top? Maybe. While Phantoms of the world may be sick weirdos, that doesn't neccessarily mean they're stupid.
Thankfully, schools are pretty good at keeping track of kids as they come/go at school (at least in the younger grades), and hopefully parents continue to educate kids about talking to/going with strangers. |
So how on earth did those child molesters get the kids who didn't show up in the paper? In fact I suspect that if one was desiring to grab a child one might choose to grab one less likely to be recognized by people in the community if people start asking questions. This is hubris plain and simple, it is prudent not list childrens names and addresses for people to see but the fact that suzy jones' picture was in the paper or on a school website is no more likely to make her a target than walking home from school or playing outside during recess. Molesters are far more likely to grab a target of opportunity if they are going to randomly grab a kid so simply haveing kids walk home together greatly reduces the risk, additionally the fact that most molesters are people who already know the child in some fashion completely nullifies this point as well. You should do what you are comfortable with but please for the sake of your children do not react with irrational paranoia.
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08/15/2008 03:06:11 PM · #19 |
Like you, I would be hard pressed to agree to all that information being given out so freely...phantom predator or not.
For your own peace of mind, I would give the school a call and let them know your feelings.
I bet you will not be the only parent to make that phone call.
-Signed....Happily Paranoid Parent! |
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08/15/2008 03:25:41 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by hihosilver:
Like you, I would be hard pressed to agree to all that information being given out so freely...phantom predator or not.
For your own peace of mind, I would give the school a call and let them know your feelings.
I bet you will not be the only parent to make that phone call.
-Signed....Happily Paranoid Parent! |
I absolutely agree.. I don't think being concerned about the safety of your child should ever be an issue. I also believe that it is the parents responsibility to make your child aware of how to react if a stranger does approach them or for that matter how to handle any other possible scenario that could happen while they are at school. Many schools are implementing Safety Awareness Programs, but IMO nothing is foolproof. We HAVE to educate our children on what can happen. I have 4 children, 21, 21, 17 & 8 and I worry about the ones in college just as much as I do the ones in High School and Grade School. I also agree with LVicari on how depressing the new is.. I tend to steer clear of it myself, but reality sucks when it comes to what can and has happened in the schools. I think you have to do whatever you can to keep your kids safe and informed.
Just my 2 cents. :)
Message edited by author 2008-08-15 15:27:00. |
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08/15/2008 03:28:59 PM · #21 |
good points on the parnoid parent thing.
Maybe I am , you all know me by now to know what my job is. But first and most of all, I was shocked that a school district would put some or all (as they stated) of this info on the WWW for any joe, dick or harry to see.
If you where a pedi, here is how easy it is for someone to find you and your family.
Go to a school website, go to the district website, choose the school nearest you, look at what age range suits you best. PIck out what features and looks you want in your vic. click the photo,
SO here is what happens if all of the info is printed.
find out the name or what where she has achieved, see what sports groups they are in, check out their teachers name. Check in the phone book for the listing of the last name. Cold call till you get the right answer. Right there they have your name, address , first and last names of your family. then they watch and take, at your home or at school. this would take me about 2 hours to complete, someone that is not a proffesional mayb e a day or two,
So if even the bare information is shared, it would take a couple of days.
I just feel that if you are going to give out this information to anyone, at least think long and hard about it first
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08/15/2008 03:35:31 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by jhomrighaus:
This is pretty normal and not as sinister as you may expect. If you give release then they can post pictures from say the school play in which your kid was the star, or of the soccer team, or a science fair winner or whatever. If you opt out or restrict what they can say then they act accordingly(ie you can not list my kids name but can show their picture). It does not sound like they are making a directory or anything, just a general release for incidental photos. |
I can understand that they make you sign a statement to avoid being sued if they post a picture of your kid acting in the school play, for example.
However, I wouldn't understand why they would want to put a systematic directory of all students on the web for everyone to see (do they?). What purpose would it serve?
Message edited by author 2008-08-15 15:36:51. |
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08/15/2008 03:36:15 PM · #23 |
"Just because you're not paranoid, doesn't meant everyone isn't out to get you"...
That said, i thinks prudance is always a good thing... North Americans especailly need to learn about Balance... the balance is... I don't need to over react about this kinds of thing because it really isn't all that likely to occur, BUT as a wise parent, I'm going to take precausions to make sure my kids are safe anyway... |
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08/15/2008 03:47:45 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by Eyesup:
"Just because you're not paranoid, doesn't meant everyone isn't out to get you"...
That said, i thinks prudance is always a good thing... North Americans especailly need to learn about Balance... the balance is... I don't need to over react about this kinds of thing because it really isn't all that likely to occur, BUT as a wise parent, I'm going to take precausions to make sure my kids are safe anyway... |
And that is all you can do. If you get paranoid so badly, then no one would ever leave the house. You can nly protect yourself up to a certain point. The excuse "oh I didnt know or think of that" is rarely going to make you feel any better if something does happen.
So what it all boils down ot, is be aware of what is going on, read the stuff that gets sent home, tell and educate your kids but don't freak them out.
It is all about , as Eye said, the right balance of being paraniod and being sensible |
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08/15/2008 04:13:01 PM · #25 |
Here are the statistics I could come up with:
US Population under 18: 74 million
Annual abductions of children by non-family members: about 4,000
That gives us odds of about 1 in 18,500.
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