Our school actually prints up the directories. I did notice only one person out of about 220 families who put something like "number unlisted" but it's very unusual. We're a small private school and no one, that I know of, has ever asked to be excluded from the school directory. We include the class lists, school calendar, school board members, PTO officers/chairman and all room mothers. I find the info invaluable.
Shelly
Certain student information including name, address, phone, grade, can technically be public information and available upon request. It's actually called "Directory" information (nothing to do with PTO directories) and is exempt from the student privacy laws. Otherwise, you could never have directories, yearbooks, newspaper write ups on sports and other student successes.
Schools must share their policy about this info, and that policy is often listed in the student handbook. And there needs to be a way for families to request not to have information disclosed.
In our case, the school, after removing any do-not-disclose-requests, just gives us the data. At one point when it looked like that wasn't going to work, I checked to see what it would take to get it from the school district. Under the open records law, they had to provide it, but were allowed to charge an administrative fee. Had we gotten it from them, it would have been $35.
So you need to check with your school/district on policies and costs.
To any of you that live in a perfect world, where everyone loves and respects each other, then the idea of a student directory would probably appear just dandy. However, there are parents employed in professions that make the publication of name/address/phone/children's names, etc. down right dangerous. The opinions I've seen regarding needing it for b-day parties, and "why wouldn't you want to be included" border on heads- in the-sand attitudes. Do not belittle people for trying to protect what little bit of privacy is afforded these days. I am grateful our public school refuses to release this data for such publications. They treat everyone's contact info as confidential, and well they should. So, please do not be offended that people want NO part of such directories. They probably have substantial reasons.
I was wondering if anyone can lead me in the right direction? I am looking for a student information software program to make a Student Directory, or information on how to make one. Any help would be apprectaied!! Thanks in advance,
Kelly
I mostly use it as a phone directory, which is especially useful for those families where each member has a different last name and I can never remember how to find them in the city directory. It's also great for finding classmates to answer questions about homework or upcoming field trips or whatever, and I have used it to enlist parents' help for class parties. I can't imagine trying to track people down any other way. Actually, between the school directory and our neighborhood directory, I don't think I've ever used our city directory to find a residential phone number.
I LOVE pur school directory. This is the first year we did it, and many find it invaluable.
We're a small private scool and the kids come from a wide range of places, so it helps dramatically.
We list child's name by class, parents name, address, phone number, email, child's birthday, & subdivision/ residential area. Next year we are also adding pto contact names, room parents, pertinent info. to school, & pto events calendar.
I especially like it b/c it has the info. for kids in other classes who my son has been in classes with in the past. It's great for general contact info. for me as pto pres.
Ours is opt in; if you don't want something listed (email), we don't list it. We also insist that it not be used for solicitation--which has been honored.
