How to opt out of recruiter calls

To the editors:

Parents of high school juniors and seniors should know that they can protect their child from unwanted calls and contacts by military recruiters.

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that school districts automatically release the name, address, and phone number of juniors and seniors to military recruiters unless parents sign an “opt-out” or student exclusion form which states: “I, the undersigned, do not want my child’s name released to the armed forces recruiters by the School District of Philadelphia.”

The School District of Philadelphia issues this form every year in early October. That’s when families of all high school juniors and seniors should be receiving a copy from their high school – usually sent home with students for parent’s signature.

If you would like to prevent the School District from releasing your child’s personal information to military recruiters, be sure to fill out, sign, and return the opt-out form promptly to your child’s school.

If you do not receive this form by Oct. 10, you can call the Office of Accountability at 215- 400-4250 to request one.

Paula J. Paul

The writer is a member of Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia and a retired Philadelphia public school teacher.