My PTO is currently developing our website (http://www.wildcatpto.org) and the question has come up about posting children's pictures on the site. We can't (or we're not comfortable with) post a picture and identify the child by name, but we would still like to post pictures and kid's artwork, etc. One option we have mentioned is putting first names with last name initial or first names only.

Can I get some feedback from other folks about this and how other PTO's have or would handle this?

Thanks! Joe H.

Best advice---Go to your school board. Ask them to check with their lawyer on what you can do and can not do without parental consent.....

2nd step after you get that information..Decide what is in hte best interest for your unit--If the lawyers advise you that you can post names/ or photos w/out consent remember anybody can sue anyone for any reason. So is it worth putting your unit in a legal battle.

I would recommend because we deal woth minor children and when it comes to children parents will stand tall for them, that you get written permissiin from the parent/guardian before posting any names (1st and/or last) and pictures.

3rd a safety factor I would NOT recommend putting a child's name with their photo..This could be very dangerous for the child.

On our website (www.myschoolonline.com/ny/wmipta) we sent a ltr to our teachers last week asking for input about what is going on in their classrooms. We told them we cannot print any child's name or photo. We decided that it was not worth to put the unit in a legal battle (no ,matter what the outcome) and not worth putting any child's safety at risk.

But your school board may be able to offer some legal advice free of charge to your unit. Ask them the worse they will say is no we can't help you. then you will need to eother pay for the answer or just not print names and photos and play it safe.

On our school website we use students photos, but NO names.