Saturday, January 14, 2012

High School Yearbook Photo Flap Gets Mixed Parent Reactions (ContributorNetwork)

Yearbook photos can be a touchy subject with parents. Recently, the yearbook staff at Durango High School in Colorado refused to publish a senior portrait of 18-year-old Sidney Spies. The student-run group declared the image inappropriate for a school publication, says the Durango Herald. Here are tips for parents about choosing school-friendly senior pictures.

Issues with photo

Spies submitted a photo of herself in a tight yellow mini-skirt and black "bandeau" style blouse, similar to a bikini bathing suit top. Her shoulders and midriff are revealed. The yearbook staff deemed the photo too racy for a student publication. Spies was told she could publish the photo in a paid-for student ad but not as her senior portrait. Editor Brian Jamarillo said "We are an award-winning yearbook. We don't want to diminish the quality with something that can be seen as unprofessional."

Parent reactions

The girl, along with her mother Miki Spies, spoke to NBC's Matt Lauer, saying the image is "artistic" and that not allowing her to display it in the school annual is a violation of Spies' freedom of speech. The girl and her parents fault school officials and a too-restrictive dress code, though yearbook editors have assured her that pulling the photo was their decision, says ABC News. The Spies family is meeting with an attorney to discuss their options and have been waving placards outside the school voicing their objections. Other parents have commented on the articles, saying they fully support the yearbook staff's decision not to run Spies' photo.

Tips for parents about yearbook photos

Senior photos aren't cheap. According to Minnesota's Senior Portraits Rochester, parents can expect to spend $300 to $1,000. One of the reasons parents have photos taken is so they can be published in the school yearbook. To that end, photographers advise families to familiarize themselves beforehand with school policies. Different schools have varying rules about what is acceptable for yearbook photos.

Some schools allow only head shots with no hands in the photo. Others don't allow outdoor photos, special ops photos, props, hats or special effects. Most schools require dress code specifics be observed too. A read-through of the school handbook will generally provide all needed information for what's expected. Professionals suggest having at least one school-approved pose taken, regardless of what options are chosen for other photos.

Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes about parenting from 23 years raising four children and 25 years teaching K-8, special needs, home-school and adult education.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20120109/en_ac/10811925_high_school_yearbook_photo_flap_gets_mixed_parent_reactions

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