Timothy Hontz wrote:

I need to know the policy for using pictures on club websites that contain students. I am in charge of the Reisterstown Kiwanis Club web page. Before I place a picture on our site, does the district have a policy or a permission sheet for parents to sign?

Response:

Good question. Most school districts have a policy requiring a parental consent form for permission to use a student's picture on the web site or other news media. Any student under age 18 must have signed permission from the parent or guardian. The photographer or person who submits the photo secures the permission, or they ascertain the school has a permission form on file. Update with a new permission forms each year, as circumstances may change. The photographer needs the form with parental approval, whether or not they use a name. If you do not have permission when you take a photo, you can ask the parent to sign a release form after the event, but before publication. For the Service Leadership Programs Kiwanis sponsors, there is a Consent Form here. The Club or photographer can select and print the Photo/Video Release Consent Form. For the SLP Clubs your Club sponsors, give the form to the SLP members at the beginning of year. Carry a copy of the form and give the form to new young people when the Club is doing service work or fundraising.