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Haverhill Public Schools

HPS Student Media Opt-Out Policy

HPS Student Media Opt-Out Policy

HPS Student Media Opt-Out Policy

The Haverhill Public Schools (HPS) recognizes the importance of celebrating student achievements and sharing school activities with the community through various media outlets, including the district website, social media, local news, and printed publications. At Haverhill Public Schools, the safety and privacy of our students remain our absolute priority. We understand that for many families, keeping your child’s digital footprint private is a personal and important decision. To respect these preferences, we have created a standardized “Opt-Out” procedure to ensure student privacy is respected while streamlining administrative tasks for district staff.

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Policy

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Effective May 14, 2026, the Haverhill School Committee approved the Haverhill Public School Student Media Opt-Out Policy. Under this district-wide model, consent for sharing student achievements and likenesses is presumed unless a formal Opt-Out Form is submitted. Parents and guardians may choose to opt out of having their student’s image or likeness featured across all district platforms, including social media, websites, yearbooks, newsletters, and HPS submissions to local news outlets.

Key Highlights

  • Annual Requirement: A new Opt-Out form must be submitted every school year.
     
  • Scope: Covers websites, social media, yearbooks, newsletters, and HPS submissions to local news.
     
  • Centralized Tracking: The Technology Department maintains a master list that staff must check before posting recognizable images.
     
  • Privacy First: Even without a form, staff are trained to ensure student dignity and safety in all posts.

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Action for Parents

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Families wishing to utilize the Student Media Opt-Out Policy should fill out the 2026-2027 Student Media Opt-Out Policy Form, which will be available starting on August 10, 2026.

Under this district-wide model, consent for sharing student achievements and likenesses is presumed unless a formal Opt-Out Form is submitted.

Please note that a new form is required each school year.