Our school PTA wants to produce a directory with the names, ages and birthdays of all the kids?

Question

Plus they want to add school pictures, home addresses and mailing addresses all this is everything a predator could use.

I feel like this idea is promoting unsafe measures and want to present my case to the PTA.

How would you handle this serious issue?

Please be kind in your comments. Thank you.

Answer 1

They're living in a dream world of the 1950's.  The directory is fine IF it's password protected AND access is limited to school district parents.  Bigger question:  who is behind this lunacy and why?

Answer 2

I totally agree with you.  Our school won't even let the individual classrooms exchange information as it could get out to others. I would look at the National Association for Missing and Exploited Children for some basic safety guidelines.  Also, call your local police and let them know about this.  They may send someone to speak on your behalf, or at least give you some facts that will help you in your case.

Whatever happens, do NOT let them get away with doing this without making a big fuss about it.  Go above them to the school board if you have to, they may even already have privacy policies in place that would bar this sort of thing.  I know that legally they do have to get written permission to put your private information in as well.

Answer 3

I kind of agree with you.  I'm not so sure that I want every parent of every kid knowing my address and phone number.  They can definitely be used for negative reasons.   Never mind a predator, but what if your child is having issues at school with any kid.  Do you want that kid to be able to torment your child at home too?  I'm a stay at home mom, I don't want that parent who constantly needs a place to ship her kid off to having my address and phone number?  I don't think it is a good idea at all.    I would have to at least ask that if anyone want to be omitted from the directory that their privacy be respected.  I know a few people with kids in school who are teachers in the town.  They don't want the other students knowing where they live.  This is just wrong.

Answer 4

Most schools have a directory.  I don't think pictures are really needed but they end up in the yearbook at the end of the year anyway.

Answer 5

Our school PTA puts out a directory with names, addresses, phone, and email.  People can opt out of the directory if they don't want to be included.  It's very useful when trying to set up playdates, carpools, birthday parties, etc.  It goes only to parents at the school, so I'm not really worried about it's falling into the wrong hands.  

If I were you, I'd suggest an opt-out option for people who are concerned or don't want the information public for any reason.  I'd also ask what the point of the pictures is, and suggest that be left out.

Answer 6

it is pretty much like a directory which basicly has all of that same stuff and i know many schools that put together directories of all of the students in the school. although directories dont have pictures, that is what the yearbook is for.

so i dont think that it is a major issue.

a person, if they choose, could just say that they would not like to be put into the the book.

Answer 7

A child predator could use any resources to find there next victim, Unfortunately we never know, there are a few questions I have, how big is the school? how involved are the parents and what grades? I would be more worried about children prank calling each other then a predator and I worry all the time about s*x offenders and "bad guys" My daughters school had a parent directory and there have never been issues but 2 teachers in 30 years having inappropriate relations with students, that is a bigger threat. I don't suggest pictures would be good or dob