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Columbus Catholic Schools (CCS) Photography Policy

CCS and the Diocese of La Crosse regularly uses photos, video, and/or audio taken at school and at school-related events for marketing materials, our website, and on social media sites (i.e. Facebook).   We understand that there are a wide variety of reasons a parent/guardian may not want his/her student’s likeness to be used and we will handle your wishes with utmost seriousness.  However, due to the complexity of the issue and the potential to unnecessarily create extra work for CCS staff, we have adopted the following policy.  We (CCS) and the Diocese of La Crosse require that parents/guardians either agree or not agree to ALL of the following: 

  1. Parents/guardians will be asked for permission to use their student(s) likeness at the time of enrollment.  If you change your mind at any time, please contact the Admissions Department.
  2. A “No-Photo Student List” will be compiled annually by the CCS Admissions Director and shared with all CCS staff including the Marketing/Communications Director and all teachers prior to the start of the school year.
  3. The Marketing/Communications Director will enforce the “No-Photo Student List.”
  4. A “yes/no” answer counts for all the following:
    1. Use of photos, likeness and/or audio of your student for CCS and the Diocese of La Crosse.
    2. Stories produced by media organizations where we have control over what student is selected/interviewed, etc.  This does not include athletics or events such as concerts - as these are sometimes not under our control nor can we eliminate one student from a group.
    3. Your answer will apply to ALL forms of media for CCS and the Diocese of La Crosse (parent/guardian will not have a different answer for different forms of media).
  5. Permission to use photos in yearbooks will be asked separately by the yearbook advisors.
  6. For large PR projects (photo session, video, etc.) parents/guardians will be asked to fill out and sign the CCS Photo Release Form. 
  7. When possible, we will try to reach out to parents/guardians to alert them when a student’s likeness is used in a major project.
  8. Several CCS and Diocese entities will also require a photo release form as a prerequisite for participation (ie: events, trainings, etc.)
  9. All teachers/staff will familiarize themselves with the “No-Photo Student List.”
  10. Because the majority of Facebook photos are generated by teachers in the classroom, the following rules will apply:
    1. Backs of heads, even of “No-Photo Students” are okay.
    2. Large groups: where nobody is distinguishable, even “No-Photo Students,” are okay.
    3. When a student’s likeness is used on our website, social media, e-newsletter, etc., only a first name and the first initial of the last name will be used, to protect the student’s identity.  (This does not pertain to local media as we cannot control it.)
  11. No royalty fee or compensation shall become payable to you by reason of such use.
  12. CCS and the Diocese of La Crosse reserve the right to determine which photos are used and how long they remain in use.

If you have any questions regarding the CCS Photography Policy, please contact Angela Loucks, Director of Marketing and Communications, at 715-387-1177 ext. 3318 or loucks.angela@columbusdons.org. 

Updated July 29, 2024