'Opt Out' form deserves your consideration

Some things are family matters. The No Child Left Behind bill has made personal student information government business. This bill requires every high school to make available all personal student information to military recruiters and to the Pentagon's JAMRS military recruitment database each school year.

What can you do to retain control of your student's personal information?

Each school year, usually in the September registration packet, Bonner County high schools provide and Opt Out form. On this form, you can opt out of becoming a part of the recruiting data base and still choose to stay in the database for colleges, trade schools, financial aid and school activities.

The initial Sept. 30 deadline to turn in this form has passed. However, Bonner County high schools continue to accept these signed forms and can amend their database for future requests.

If decisions regarding your student's personal information are something you consider a family matter, be sure you have completed, signed and returned an Opt Out form to your high school office as soon as possible.

MARY L. TOLAND

Sagle