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Back-to-School Photos: Why Parents Should Think Before Posting

Published

3 months ago

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As a new school year gets underway, social media feeds will soon be filled with the familiar first-day-of-school photos: children standing on the front porch with their backpacks, holding signs announcing their grade, and smiling for the camera before heading off to class.

While these photos are a fun way for families to celebrate a milestone, parents should take a moment before posting to consider how much personal information the picture may reveal.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is reminding families to make online safety part of their back-to-school routine. The organization specifically cautions parents about information that can appear in seemingly innocent school photos, including a child’s full name, school name or logo, teacher’s name, street signs, house numbers and other identifying details.

A photo can also reveal a child’s daily routine or where they spend much of their time.

The Problem Isn’t the Photo — It’s the Information Around It

Parents do not necessarily need to stop sharing their children’s accomplishments and special moments online. The bigger concern is how much identifying information accompanies the photo.

A typical first-day picture could potentially show a child’s name on a backpack or sign, the name or logo of the school, a bus number, a street address or even a recognizable neighborhood location.

Adding a caption such as a child’s full name, age, school, teacher and grade can provide even more information.

NCMEC recommends taking a few moments to examine photos before posting them and removing or obscuring identifying details when appropriate.

Once It’s Online, It’s Difficult to Control

Parents should also remember that social media privacy settings do not guarantee that a photograph will remain private.

The Federal Trade Commission advises people to think carefully before posting because photos and other content can be copied, screenshotted, recorded and shared beyond the audience originally intended. Even deleting a post later does not necessarily mean the image has disappeared from the internet.

That is particularly important when the person in the photograph is a child who may not fully understand the long-term implications of having personal information available online.

A Quick Check Before You Hit Post

Before sharing a back-to-school picture, parents may want to ask:

  • Does the photo show the child’s full name?
  • Is the school name or logo visible?
  • Is a teacher’s name visible?
  • Can someone identify our home or street?
  • Does the photo reveal where or when the child will be?
  • Have I included unnecessary personal information in the caption?
  • Would I be comfortable with this image being copied and shared outside my intended audience?

Cropping a photo, covering identifying information or choosing a less specific caption can reduce the amount of information being shared.

Back-to-school photos are a way for families to celebrate an exciting milestone. A few extra seconds before posting can help ensure that the celebration doesn’t reveal more about a child than a parent intended.

The goal isn’t to take the fun out of sharing these moments. It’s simply to remember that a cute picture can contain more information than it appears to at first glance.

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7 Things to Do in Rockland County This November Before Winter Arrives

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12 hours ago

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November 4, 2026

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November is a great time to get out and enjoy the final days of fall before colder temperatures and winter weather arrive. From hiking and scenic walks to local farms, historic attractions and holiday shopping, Rockland County offers plenty of ways to enjoy the season.

Here are seven things to add to your November calendar.

1. Go Hiking at Bear Mountain State Park

“Bear Mountain State Park, Perkins Memorial Tower Hudson River view”

Enjoy the beautiful scenery at Bear Mountain State Park, where visitors can explore hiking trails, walk around Hessian Lake and take in panoramic views from Perkins Memorial Tower. The park also offers the Trailside Museums and Zoo and seasonal ice skating. Check hours and seasonal access before visiting.

2. Enjoy a Walk Along the Hudson River

“Nyack Beach State Park Hudson River”

Take advantage of the cooler weather with a walk at Nyack Beach State Park, Tallman Mountain State Park in Sparkill or Rockland Lake State Park in Congers. These parks offer beautiful scenery, walking paths and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

3. Explore Rockland County’s History

“Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site lighthouse”

Visit Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site to learn about Rockland County’s role in the American Revolution. Other interesting destinations include the Historical Society of Rockland County and the Edward Hopper House Museum and Study Center in Nyack.

4. Visit a Local Farm

“Orchards of Concklin Pomona”

November is a great time to support local farmers. Stop by Orchards of Concklin in Pomona or Dr. Davies Farm in Congers for seasonal products, baked goods, cider and other fall favorites. Check seasonal hours before visiting.

5. Plan a Family Outing at Palisades Center

“Palisades Center West Nyack”

When the weather turns cold or rainy, Palisades Center in West Nyack offers shopping, dining and indoor entertainment for families, including games, climbing activities and other attractions.

6. Get a Head Start on Holiday Shopping

“Downtown Nyack”

Explore local shops and boutiques in Nyack, Piermont, Pearl River and Suffern. November is a great time to find unique gifts, attend craft fairs and support Rockland County’s small businesses before the holiday rush.

7. Get Your Home Ready for Winter

Take advantage of the remaining mild days to prepare for winter. Check your heating system, clean gutters, protect outdoor faucets, inspect weatherstripping and make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

Enjoy November Close to Home

From hiking at Bear Mountain, walking at Rockland Lake to exploring local parks, farms and downtown shopping districts, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Rockland County before winter arrives.

Get outside, support local businesses and make the most of the final days of fall!

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Community

Halloween May Be Over, But Your Pumpkins Still Have Plenty Of Life Left In Them!

Published

2 days ago

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November 3, 2026

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Before tossing those jack-o’-lanterns and fall decorations in the trash, consider turning them into delicious seasonal recipes, making homemade treats for your dogs or donating them to a local farm.

Millions of pumpkins are discarded every year after Halloween, with many ending up in landfills. But those leftover pumpkins can serve a purpose beyond decorating your front porch.

Turn Leftover Pumpkins Into Delicious Recipes

If your pumpkins are still fresh and have not been carved, painted or treated with chemicals, you may be able to use the pumpkin flesh and seeds in a variety of recipes.

Pumpkin is a versatile ingredient that can be used to make:

  • Homemade pumpkin bread and muffins.
  • Pumpkin soup and roasted pumpkin dishes.
  • Pumpkin pancakes and waffles.
  • Roasted pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack.
  • Pumpkin puree for pies, desserts and other recipes.

Don’t forget your four-legged family members! Plain pumpkin puree can also be used to make homemade dog treats. Many dogs enjoy pumpkin, which contains fiber and nutrients that can be a healthy addition to their diet when served in appropriate amounts.

Try making simple pumpkin dog biscuits using plain pumpkin puree, oats and dog-safe ingredients. Avoid adding sugar, spices, salt or artificial sweeteners, particularly xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Also, remove the stem and never feed dogs moldy or spoiled pumpkin.

Donate Your Pumpkins to Local Farms

Another option is to give your leftover pumpkins to local farmers, animal sanctuaries or livestock rescues.

Pumpkins can be a nutritious seasonal supplement for animals, including cows, pigs, sheep, goats and chickens. They contain moisture and nutrients that can make them a welcome treat when incorporated appropriately into an animal’s diet.

Before donating, keep these important safety tips in mind:

  • Only donate fresh, untreated pumpkins.
  • Remove candles, plastic decorations and other foreign materials.
  • Avoid pumpkins covered in paint, glitter or other chemicals.
  • Never donate moldy, rotten or spoiled pumpkins.
  • Contact the farm first to make sure it accepts pumpkin donations and that the pumpkins are suitable for its animals.

Help Reduce Food Waste After Halloween

Whether you turn your pumpkins into homemade recipes, bake treats for your dogs or share them with a nearby farm, there are plenty of ways to keep perfectly good pumpkins out of the landfill.

Before throwing away those Halloween decorations, think twice. Your leftover pumpkin could become a delicious family recipe, a special treat for your dog or a tasty snack for a farm animal.

Let’s make the most of pumpkin season, waste less and support our local farmers!

Editorial safety note: Only use pumpkins intended for food preparation when making recipes for people or pets. Carved pumpkins that have been sitting outdoors should not be used for cooking or dog treats.

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