Getting Sr's Addresses

[picasso]

I have been in a discussion with someone on another board in regards to their Sr. Portrait Advertising and he says he went to the schools and paid them $20 for the names and addresses of Sr's at that school. I was wondering if anyone here has ever done that. To me at least in Texas (Which this guy is not) I would think the schools would be leery of handing our personal info of the kids. What do you guys think???

Paul

[Kimberly]

I received a list of seniors from two of the Austin high schools by contacting the district office. All they required of me was a faxed statement as to why I wanted the addresses with my business information. They then e-mailed me a spreadsheet with all of the info I needed. Free! Personally, I don't think that individual high schools should be selling that information.

[picasso]

Yes, I thought it was a little dangerous considering today's world. Don't get me wrong, I would like to get a list of names and I hope they are open to that either through the district or locally at the school but, I bet if parents knew they might not like it.

Paul

[brad]

Parents do know. The first day of school, forms come home that ask for permission to put your child in the public directory.... under the guise that if your child were to "win a prize" or some other recognition, they cannot release the name of the child without parental approval... and this makes it easier.

When in fact, they then turn around and sell this info to lists.

[picasso]

Originally Posted by brad

Parents do know. The first day of school, forms come home that ask for permission to put your child in the public directory.... under the guise that if your child were to "win a prize" or some other recognition, they cannot release the name of the child without parental approval... and this makes it easier.

When in fact, they then turn around and sell this info to lists.

Hmmmm... I did not know this. So, when my kid (The one I don't have yet) reachs that age I will be sure not to check off on it.

By the way Brad, I am looking forward to the class this weekend.

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by picasso

Yes, I thought it was a little dangerous considering today's world. Don't get me wrong, I would like to get a list of names and I hope they are open to that either through the district or locally at the school but, I bet if parents knew they might not like it. Paul

Due to privacy issues all students are given the opportunity to opt out of the information pool. That covers the legalities for the school.

Different schools have different policies concerning the student names. Legally, according to the Texas open records act if the list is given to any outside entity other than government agencies the list is considered "Published" Therefore it must be made available to any other entity requesting it. They may charge for the list, but cannot charge more than their actual cost of producing the list.

In essence this means that if the list is given to the contract photographer, then it has been "published" and must also be made available to any other photographer requesting the list. I have three high schools in my town and the school district sells me the list in ASCII format on a disc for less than $ 5.00. One of the other districts charges $ 35.00 per high school for printed lists. A few schools will not give or sell the list at all.

There are also list brokers that sell the lists such as American Student List.

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by picasso

Hmmmm... I did not know this. So, when my kid (The one I don't have yet) reachs that age I will be sure not to check off on it.

By the way Brad, I am looking forward to the class this weekend.

You might want to give this some thought. This would also mean that your child's name would not be available to colleges, universities, enrichment programs, and things like that. Most names are available. You can also buy the list of those in specified zip codes, having a drivers license, whose birthday falls between Sept. 1, 1988 & Aug. 31, 1989. I believe that would be the class of 2007. The names are usually available if you want them.

[picasso]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

You might want to give this some thought. This would also mean that your child's name would not be available to colleges, universities, enrichment programs, and things like that. Most names are available. You can also buy the list of those in specified zip codes, having a drivers license, whose birthday falls between Sept. 1, 1988 & Aug. 31, 1989. I believe that would be the class of 2007. The names are usually available if you want them.

You are probably right. I am already being over protective of my non-exisitent kid!

By the way, thanks for the good info. Sounds like it's not as hard as I thought it would be to advertise to Sr's.


Paul

[babybluetx23]

I got some kind of a flyer in the mail about getting on senior mailing lists. When I get home I will post the info. I think it is a paid service though.

[CobyPhoto]

Originally Posted by Kimberly

I received a list of seniors from two of the Austin high schools by contacting the district office. All they required of me was a faxed statement as to why I wanted the addresses with my business information. They then e-mailed me a spreadsheet with all of the info I needed. Free! Personally, I don't think that individual high schools should be selling that information.

Kimberly,

They really aren't selling these names, it takes time and costs the school preparing them for you and that is what they are "selling" is the time they have in preparing that list for people. I usually get several lists each year and they charge from 3.00 - 12.00 a list.

CJ

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by picasso

I have been in a discussion with someone on another board in regards to their Sr. Portrait Advertising and he says he went to the schools and paid them $20 for the names and addresses of Sr's at that school. I was wondering if anyone here has ever done that. To me at least in Texas (Which this guy is not) I would think the schools would be leery of handing our personal info of the kids. What do you guys think???

Paul

Surprisingly, no they arent leery at all. I asked if we could hand out our senior promos with the notices they get from Gattis and everyone else...they tried to sell me a list instead. Go for it...

[Steelsun]

Just wait for the inevitable backlash when someone under the guise of a scholarship program or photographer, buys such a list, and then uses it to stalk or kidnap or whatever students.

Can you imagine if the political groups that regularly target schools (like Peta, pro-lifers, etc) staretd using the lists to target students directly at home.

[brad]

Originally Posted by Steelsun

Can you imagine if the political groups that regularly target schools (like Peta, pro-lifers, etc) staretd using the lists to target students directly at home.

Started?

[HotHolly]

All these years, I thought I was the only nut that worried about stuff like that. Everyone down here acts like Im a paranoid NYer. Maybe its more of a small town train-of-thought. Glad to see there are other people that want to protect their kids...