Greetings VTA families!
The school year 2020-21 is turning out to be an all-virtual year even after 10 months of social distancing and introduction of vaccines. We don’t want to let the current pandemic affect our annual cultural activities. To that end, we are venturing into streaming those events through YouTube live, showcasing our children’s talents and nurturing their artistic abilities. Various events are being planned with a targeted approach to use online streaming and video sharing platforms. In order to achieve that we need parents to sign a consent form. The consent form has been uploaded in all Google classrooms and an assignment has been created to turn in the signed form with a due date of January 12, 2021. Please upload individual forms through the “Turn in” option like any other homework. You can access the consent form below:
VTA may require additional waiver forms from parents in the future for specific events, as needed.
Listed below are some Frequently Asked Questions regarding this consent form.
Why is this form important?
This form, when signed by a parent, gives implicit permission to VTA administrators and designated committee volunteers to use or edit their kids photos and videos for VTA cultural and educational activities. It also gives permission to share that edited digital content on VTA’s private streaming channels such as Facebook and YouTube.
Who should sign the form?
This form should be signed by all parents whose kids appear in photo or video participating in VTA’s cultural events. Kids who share audios only are exempt from signing this form for sharing their content online.
Does this form apply to teachers and other volunteers?
Yes. If a teacher or a volunteer appear in photo or video for any of the events as a participant or a person introducing the performing kids, they should sign the forms as well.
Should we submit individual forms for each member/student?
No. Only one form per family please. You can include the name of your kids whose photos/videos can be shared in a single form. The form also allows to add members/volunteer names who don’t have kids studying in school.
Who will have access to kids’ photos or videos?
The shared media content will only be accessed by VTA teachers, volunteers and parents who serve in committees or offer their service for specific events.
Are digital signatures acceptable?
No. Wet ink signatures are required. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, if a dispute arises that should be settled in court, only wet ink signed forms are admissible as evidence. While digital signatures are easy to obtain, it is a fact that the consent becomes legally acceptable only by wet ink signatures.
How long is this consent valid?
The consent is valid for the current school year: 2020-21.
I’m not decided yet on whether to sign or not. Can I do it at a later time?
Without a signed consent from you, VTA will assume that you opted out from sharing videos and photos of your kids or yourself. At a future date, if you would like to submit a video or photo entry for an event, you can always sign the form and provide VTA permission to upload your entry.
Can I revoke my permission at a future date? If so how?
You always have that option to revoke your permission by sending an email to help@valluvantamil.org requesting us to disregard a previously submitted consent form. You can change your choice only once during a school year. Please note that your request for revocation will apply only to events after the date of request.
I don’t have a printer at home. How can I submit the consent form?
Please have the form printed through any of your friends who has a printer or get a printout from Fedex Kinkos or UPS store for signing the document. As mentioned before, we are legally bound to get wet ink signed forms from each parent.
A screenshot of the signature block of the form is shown below with instructions on what each item is used for:
