Authorization & Media Release

The Torrance Unified School District continues to recognize and celebrate student and staff activities and accomplishments and market our District and schools to enhance enrollment and funding. From time to time, we may use photos, recordings, and/or videos of your student(s) for printed materials, online publications, and broadcast media in a variety of formats. Examples of these may include (but are not limited to) presentations to our Board of Education, mass emails, internal and external newsletters, press releases, social media posts, school/district websites, brochures, banners, and advertisements.

TYPE 1: LARGE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Photographs and videos will be taken at large school events including (but not limited to) carnivals, assemblies, field trips, fairs, award ceremonies, open houses/portfolio days, family events, competitions, sporting events, ribbon cuttings, graduations, and more. By virtue of your family’s and student(s)’ attendance and participation in such events, you are giving express permission to automatically allow the District, its Business/Corporate/Nonprofit Partners and sponsors, and any external visiting Press to use likenesses, photos, recordings, and videos of your student(s) for all media formats and in all communication tools and publications, as long as no student’s name and/or identifying features are included, unless consent is provided. (Reference: Board Policy BP 1113)

To opt out of TYPE 1 coverage, you can make a prominent badge, nametag, or sticker that boldly states NO PHOTOS, and have your student(s) wear it during the activity or event to notify all District staff, press, and partners that your student may not be photographed. It is important to note, that this will only prevent close-up, individual, and small-group coverage, and your student(s) may still be featured in wide-angle group videos and photos. Even if a student wears such a sign, badge, nametag, sticker, etc. if a student participates in large school events, the District is unable to guarantee or assure that no photographs of the student will be taken.

TYPE 2: SMALLER GROUP EVENTS/ACTIVITIES, YEARBOOK, AND RECOGNITION
In addition, your student(s) may be photographed for the yearbook, and during class lessons, special school events, VIP visits, career days, and for awards and recognitions. They may also be featured for an accomplishment, award, scholarship, or human interest story. In these cases, the first initial and last name may be used. In some extreme cases of security, safety, or protection, families may need to opt out of TYPE 2 coverage.

To OPT OUT of TYPE 2 coverage, in addition to leaving the following section unchecked, you must also annually complete the Communications Department Media Opt-Out Form, print it, sign it, and return two copies (scan or hard copy) to BOTH your School Principal and the Communications Department 2335 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance Attn: Comms Dept. If you have any questions or comments regarding the Board Policy or the opt-out procedures, please contact the Director of Communications, Sara Myers by phone (310) 972-6156 or email myers.sara@tusd.org. Your opt-out will only be recorded if all of these steps are completed.