Class Parent Email List?

yes via a private opt out form. The school has a rule that everyone must be BCC'ed on email distributions. However each teacher publishes a class list and it contains the information parents are willing to have distributed. Same for the PTA.

Yes but there is opt-out form that goes home at the beginning of the year. Almost no one opts out.

ETA: public school

The school does not provide the list, but most teachers will ask at back-to-school night if there is a parent who would be willing to compile a list and then a sheet goes around where parents can add their info. A parent compiles and distributes the list.

It IS a privacy issue and parents have to "opt in" to have their information published. Schools can't just give this info out and it's not their job to facilitate communication among parents...if parents want this info, they can take the lead on compiling lists that people ask to be added to.

Many teachers here stop doing this by 4th or 5th grade but some continue as high as 6th, which is the last year they have a traditional classroom. They assume that by this age, students can learn how to contact each other.

Yes, our public school has a directory for the whole school. You can opt out when you verify your info before printing. When people don't put down their address, phone numbers and emails in the book I always assume they are in the witness protection program or something. It's a challenge when you want to invite a child to a birthday party and you have no way to do so. Or if you want to send a thank you note or something.

No, we do not - we are in public school. We've only had one one year and that was 8 years ago. I have no interest either. There is a privacy concern. I don't need invitations to Lia Sophia parties, which I've gotten my fill of from that one class list, and my kids don't go to your house if I haven't met you. I have no interest in being on a class list. I applaud your school.

Our school ONLY RELEASES lists to those who have allowed their information to be released.

Too many people complaining about privacy issues and the endless e-mails. Our school uses a KIT (Keep In Touch) program - much like Constant Contact and everyone gets the same information that is going on at the school and everyone's e-mail is kept private.

The schools that are releasing the information? They may have had parents sign a waiver of release. If not? Maybe only certain is being released, i.e. name and e-mail address.

Hope that helps!

Our particular public elementary school published a small ringbound booklet of all contact info plus the class lists (kid's name, parents, phone numbers, e-mails, home address) but you had to opt in and it was paid for by advertising (usually just ads from a handful of parents who had businesses). Our previous public elementary did the same thing without the ads and it was not as complete or bound etc. You had to opt in there as well.

In middle school and up -- forget it. The schools and individual teachers have zero time to do class rosters or directories. But by then kids can get in touch with each other and give parents' e-mails to other kids to pass along.

Please recognize that this IS a privacy issue. Possibly your school has tried to have lists before and gotten blowback from angry parents who for whatever reason did not want their e-mails or other information made available to anyone outside the school office and the teacher(s). Sometimes the reason is just a craving for privacy and a desire not to be on "class parent" e-mail lists. Sometimes the reason is a very serious need to be under the radar. At least one kid in our school had a parent who was forbidden to have contact -- so that kid's custodial parent ensured that the child's name wasn't on any materials that could remotely be forwarded or seen by someone outside the teacher and the school office. This is also why some parents refuse to sign forms allowing their kids to be photographed at school events, have their pictures (even without names) on the school web site, etc. In our area we also have parents who work for intelligence and security agencies (NSA, CIA, etc.) who do not allow their kids' names or images to be used.

If you are the official class parent (the person organizing parties etc. during the school year) then ask the teacher for his or her help. Ask the teacher to forward an e-mail from you to the parents and in that e-mail say you need contact information to get volunteers for everything from sending in food and plates to actually helping during parties and events. The parents who are enthusiastic and ready to help will take time to get in touch!

If you just want information so you can contact a few parents whose kids are friendly with your child, to set up play dates or invite their kids places, you may have to take your kid to school one day and see if you can run into other parents dropping off or picking up. Or find other parents who know those parents. It's doable but not as convenient as a directory; however, directories don't seem to be the norm in most public schools.

Our school sends out a form at the beginning of the school year asking if we would like to appear in the directory. As far as I know everyone does, but it allows those who have privacy issues to opt out. I would guess that any kids whose families opt out don't get many play dates:(

Our PTA does, but you need to opt in.

No list. Public school.

Public. The school doesn't do it, but individual classroom teachers do their own email lists. Parents can opt out, but most do not. Teachers make parents aware that the email list is for the room parents to organize class events so that parents know what supplies and how many volunteers are needed for various classroom activities, parties, field trips, etc.

As long as my email is NOT used for advertising or soliciting business (like purse or jewelry parties) or fundraising for outside activities (e.g., other children's club sports, dance teams, etc), I'm fine with parents in my child's class having my email for school-related purposes.

Our PTA maintains a private list of all PTA members' emails. We have a very large school, and sometimes, we don't see the parents but have to get in touch with them. Email is a good way to do that. We do not share this with the entire PTA or the school.

We do publish email addresses of our board members and committee chairs so that people can get in contact with us as needed. Since I've been a board member and committee chair for the last several years, pretty much the whole school has access to my email. While I understand and appreciate others' concerns regarding privacy, I have not had any problems with people violating mine by having my email.

To my knowledge, the only entities who have misused my email address are those businesses that require my email for making purchases online or for registering warranties for major electronic purchases. I really truly do not need five emails from Best Buy every day or amazon constantly reminding me of stuff I've searched on their site. THAT drives me crazy!

J. F.

Public school. We have the teacher's and the school, the teacher has everyone's e-mails, but parents only share if they personally want to.

We do at our school but it is strictly on a voluntary basis.
Many blessings

Yes they do (public, California.) Parents can opt out and not be included if they are concerned about privacy but most families are listed, like 98%. It also includes addresses and phone numbers. Can't imagine how families send party invites and set up playdates without it!

Ours provides it if you join the PTA. Parents can opt to include address, email, and phone number or not, but you only get the address book if you join the PTA (public).

When our son went to private school there was a list.
At the beginning of the year you chose to be in it or not - so you could opt out if you wanted to.
When we moved and he started going to public school there were no more class directories or lists.
You can certainly ask other parents in your child s class and make your own list if they want to participate.

Public school here. Class parents receive a class email list from the office. Everyone else receives a directory with addresses and emails for the entire school but you have to join/donate to the PTO to receive it. So you can get a class email list, but you have to compile it yourself going through the directory (they list the classes in the front with kids names but all family info is alphabetized in the second half of the book).

In middle school we still receive a school directory, but it's a straightforward alpha listing of all the kids in school.

You have to opt out to not be included.

If you want to swap numbers/email addresses with other parents why not suggest a list. If someone doesn't want to be on it they simply say no thanks.

We've always had one, might be a limited one but those of us that did share our numbers have lifelong friends and our kids are closer since we do play dates and parties and other stuff.

Ours came in the form of a student phone book.

Public, with school directory, with an opt out option.

One of my clients has children in the most exclusive private school,in town and they also have a directory with an opt out option. Even some of the big name families/ famous parents, their info was included. I was surprised.

Some if the children have body guards that drop them off and pick them up.

It's only a privacy issue if it breaks privacy rules. Old school did and parents have the option to be fully included, partially included or excluded. Our current school does not but is looking into doing so.

Private school here! We were able to choose if we wanted weekly emails from the teacher about the classroom. This is pre-school, 12 kids in the whole class. We also get hand written notes about behavior everyday.

private, yes, opt out form

Our schools do class lists. You fill out a form at the beginning of the year with what info you want published (or none if you want). Then they list everyone and their contact info the in the book they give out. Both my kid's schools in New Mexico did this and both my kid's schools here in VA do it as well. The PTO is the one that does this...puts it all together and publishes it. (My kids are in public preschool and public elementary - grade 5).

No, my GDs schools NEVER have. I do see it as a privacy issue and would not want my e-mail address randomly handed out.

Public.
Here, this is a PTO function, not a school function.
I believe it ends in elementary.
You need to opt IN with a form.

Our school does not, and I have no issues with that. If I need to contact another parent I can find ways to go about it. I also would not have an issue with it if they did provide one. It really makes no difference to me either way.