Communications

The Suffern Central School District uses images and/or videos (‘media’) of students and student work to showcase educational activities and programs, as well as to inform the community of the Suffern Central School District experience. Photographs and videos, and/or the name of your child may be included in publications (print or digital), news releases, and on District-maintained websites or social media accounts.

If you DO NOT permit Suffern Central School District to use your child’s name, image, or school work in any public display or presentation, please print, sign and return the form linked below to the school's main office. 

Photo/Video Opt Out Form

Printed forms can be returned to the main office of the school your child attends. If you need this form printed, please call the school's main office. 

Please note that SCSD does not control the disclosure or use of photographs or video taken by participants at events that are open to parents, community members, and/or the news media. Additionally, this form does not apply to students participating in public events, like academic competitions, performances, and athletic events. Student photos and names from these events may be published by news media.

Suffern Central School District's communication channels are the most reliable resource to find information concerning school closings or delays.

These include:

• SCSD District and School Websites — Pop-up Alert
• ParentSquare Calls, Emails, and/or Texts / App Notifications to Staff, Parents, and Students
• Suffern Central District Social Media Accounts (Facebook and Instagram)

Book Suffern Central School District Policies and Regulations. 
Section 1000: Community Relations
Title: News Media Relations   Code 1130
Status Active
Adopted January 25, 1994 / Last Revised April 8, 2014

NEWS MEDIA RELATIONS

The Board of Education invites and welcomes the active participation of all forms of mass media, print and electronic, in educating the public and improving education within the district and the wider community. The Board and Superintendent will make every reasonable effort to cooperate with the media by providing accurate information about district operations, to the extent permissible by statute and regulation.

The Board President is designated as the spokesperson for the Board when the Board is making a statement on an issue. No other member of the Board individually will speak for, or in the name of, the Board unless by explicit direction of the Board. Board members should emphasize to the media when asked to speak as a Board member that they can only speak as private citizens unless they have been empowered by the Board to speak for it.

The Superintendent of Schools is designated as the spokesperson for the district. All staff intending to release information to the media should first notify the Superintendent. The Superintendent of Schools shall establish all necessary procedures to govern day-to-day interactions between the schools and the news media.

If Board members choose to use social media (such as Facebook, or Twitter) on their own or if the member maintains a social networking presence, the Board member must ensure that it is clear that the postings do not represent the Board as a whole.

Cross-ref: 4526, Responsible Use
8630, Computer Resources and Data Management
Ref: Arts and Cultural Affairs Law §61.09
Adoption date: January 25, 1994
Revision date: April 8, 2014

Suffern Central School District Policies and Regulations
Section 1000: Community Relations
Title: Advertising In The Schools
Code 1511  Status Active

Adopted March 15, 1989 / Last Revised October 18, 2016

ADVERTISING IN THE SCHOOLS

In an effort to work with public and non-profit private organizations that wish to provide educational/recreational/cultural information to students or their parents, the following guidelines shall govern all requests to make available to students and their parents materials by outside organizations (under no circumstances will political information be considered):
1. The Superintendent of Schools or his designee will decide the appropriateness of materials to be made available to students and their parents only by the District’s electronic backpack.
2. A copy of the material shall be made available to the Superintendent of Schools or his designee who is deciding the appropriateness of the material at least days in advance of the date desired for dissemination.
3. No materials will be prepared by the school district for non-school organizations.
4. Each PTA may designate up to two printed flyers per year to be distributed. Non-school organizations desirous of advertising, collecting funds or donations of any nature within the public schools of Ramapo shall in each instance obtain permission from the Superintendent of Schools or his designee.

Cross-ref: 1221, Relations with Parent Organizations
Ref: New York State Constitution Article 8 §1
Education Law §414
8 NYCRR Part 23
Arts and Cultural Affairs Law §61.09
Matter of Gary Credit Corp., 26 EDR 414 (1987)
Matter of Gary Credit Corp., 25 EDR 385 (1986)
Matter of Taftegaard, 25 EDR 238 (1986)
Matter of Taftegaard, 23 EDR 405 (1984)
Matter of Hoyt, 20 EDR 316 (1980)
Matter of Puls, 17 EDR 324 (1978)
Matter of Gordon, 14 EDR 358 (1975)
Matter of Schanbarger, 11 Ed. Dept. Rep. 70
Adoption date: March 15, 1989
Revision date: October 18, 2016