Publicity Notice
Publicity for student activities, right to opt out of publicity
Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) regularly highlights the achievements of the school system, including sharing positive news about students and staff with the general public. Publicity helps to connect the community with the school system, aids in a positive school experience for students and builds school and community pride.
Publicity may include different forms, including but not limited to: photographs and video shown in school; CCPS news releases; photos and videos submitted to local media outlets (television, newspapers and radio stations); school system displays; special events; posting on the CCPS website, www.ccboe.com; posting on school websites; posting on CCPS social media sites (Facebook and Instagram); photo or video use for television stories for publication on the CCPS YouTube Channel, or public television stations of Comcast Channel 96/Verizon FiOS Channel 12; or publication in the CCPS parent newsletter (This Week in CCPS) or the School News staff newsletter.
Parents/guardians have a right to opt out of publicity for their child. The parent/guardian must opt their child out of CCPS publicity in writing to their child's school. The opt out status is then recorded in the CCPS student information system, Synergy. A parent/guardian can opt their child out of publicity at any time during the school year.
For those parents/guardians who would like their child to be included in CCPS publicity opportunities, you do not need to take any action.
Any parent/guardian who does not wish for their child to appear in publicity must notify the student’s school in writing. Please note that if CCPS does not receive written notification from a parent/guardian by Sept. 15 annually, it is assumed permission is granted for the child to appear in CCPS publicity. Each school/center will maintain a list of students whose parent/guardians have opted out of publicity for the student. A student’s opt out status should be updated as needed by the parent/guardian and remains in effect for the duration of the school year.
Please note that certain CCPS and school events are public in nature, and publicity in the form of photographs, video, social media posts, etc. is often not within control of CCPS or the school. This includes events such as concerts, awards programs, extracurricular activities and athletic events, county competitions, year-end events such as promotional events and high school graduation ceremonies. Student names will appear in event programs, on honor roll lists, on artwork and in yearbooks (along with a photograph) unless the parent/guardian makes a separate specific written request that the student’s name and/or image be withheld.