Generally, if a PTO follows good processes when publishing a school directory they are either using public information (yes, your child's contact info!) or have obtained the information from the families.
A disclaimer is a good idea, but the PTO really has no control over what happens to the information once distributed. For that reason, we don't include email addresses in ours.
Mohandas K. Gandhi:
I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stiffled. I want all the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
clara all the best to you. i do NOT think i have ever passed legal judgement...i have given my OPINIONS, that is what this site is for, sharing OPINIONS and experiences, not for judgments, thats for the courts.
i would rather go bungee jumping with i dont remember the name of the blogger who was leaving her presindentship, than get into a anonymous war of words on the internet. we are here to help clarify our experiences, and offer our opinions .if you didnt want others opinoion, then i guess you wounldnt have shared your experiecne. we can all learn from all experineces posted here whtehre they are good bad, or indiffernt.
Crew Chief, you make a good point. Our PTO did make it clear to anyone complaining to delete the e-mail and to block the e-mail address if they so choose. No one was blaming the PTO for the e-mail, they were complaing to the PTO that this happened. My reaction to the e-mail was to delete it and block the e-mail address.
I am not saying our PTO was responsible for this type of thing happening. I am saying the PTO has a right and responsibility to respond to such an action to prevent it from happening again beacuse they did not have a disclaimer in the directory. Their mistake, and the best way to deal with a lack of disclaimer is to notify violators to please stop on an as needed basis.
I am defending our PTO's position to stand up to this person for e-mailing something to people not asking for her opinion. That was what the PTO got slack for, telling the person to knock it off.
Delete - This is not the same as drug company spam from a stranger. This involves an angry parent at my childs school, much more personal and worthy of my attention.
aOK - this e-mail was not solicited by anyone who received it, not one person asked for her opinion so by your definition it is SPAM. Also, aOK, the reality is the PTO is there for the kids and to promote parental involvement which I am sure you have read alot about on this web site. The PTO deals with a mixed bag, that is a reality.
I don't think the HIGHERarchy is there to manage the PTO's problems. Our PTO is very capable of handling the naysayer and the PTO has proven themselves to the administration at our school and within the district.
This particular issue snowballed into a great big mess and the PTO officers actually received an appology from the Superintendent for having to go through this and a thank you for retaining their dignity. The Super has had his run ins with this person as well.
aOK, we all pass judgement, you have shown on these boards you are no exception. Please don't throw those stones living in that glass house of yours.
My intention was to merely share my experiences and I received a lot of criticisim, I guess my PTO woes have followed me here, go figure!
