Opt-Out Information

New Procedure as of Fall 2021

In the past, HCPS parents and guardians used a district-specific “Information & Media Opt-Out Form” to opt out of sharing certain student directory information, which is their right under the federal Family Educational rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). More information about FERPA rights can be viewed at this link.

Beginning the Fall 2021 semester, Henderson County Public Schools will be eliminating its district-specific “Information & Media Opt-Out Form” since the N.C. Department of Public Instruction has standardized the student directory opt-out procedures across NC school districts through PowerSchool’s Parent Portal.

This standardization includes required screening questions that parents/guardians will see in the form of a pop-up screen when they log in to their PowerSchool Parent Portal for the first time each school year (from a computer, not the app). See screenshot below.*

screenshot of FERPA questions in Parent Portal pop-up

*the number of screening questions in ParentPortal is based on a student’s grade level. Question 1 applies to all grade levels; Questions 2-4 applies to high school students only.

These required fields in Parent Portal provide a more user-friendly experience for parents, guardians, and school data managers across the state, plus the most accurate opt-out information for schools. However, individual districts are unable to customize or add to the screening questions in Parent Portal, such as specific opt-outs for media or yearbook.

What does this mean for Henderson County Public School families?

This means answering “No” to the ParentPortal screening Question 1: “Do you grant permission to allow directory information for non-commercial purposes?” will exclude your child’s directory information (including name and photo) from use in all of the following:

  • School yearbooks
  • Media coverage of school activities / student awards
  • School / district newsletters
  • School / district social media
  • Published honor roll lists
  • Published graduation announcements and lists
  • StudentAccess library service through HCPS

As of the 2021-2022 school year, all “opt outs” in HCPS will be informed by parent / guardian answers to the required Parent Portal screening questions. 

Parents/guardians will be prompted to indicate their preferences in the Parent Portal at the beginning of each school year, and may update those preferences at any time.

Don’t have Parent Portal access? Contact your school’s data manager to create a Parent Portal account, or to request a paper copy of the NCDPI screening questions.