Media Policy - Columbia Heights Educational Campus

Media Guidelines

External Policy

CHEC requests that all media inquiries for access to School facilities, personnel, and students be directed to DCPS’ Assistant Press Secretary Safiya Simmons (Office) 202.724.6689, (Mobile) 202.480.0857 or email safiya.simmons@dc.gov.   Please do not attempt to contact students directly without School permission.

Internal Policy

Because the public receives much of its  information regarding our activities, programs and students through the media, it is important that we assure that the media has access to the most complete and accurate sources of information available.    Thus, the Principal serves as the media's primary  source of contact within our school community.

Some general guidelines to adhere to include:

• All visits by media, whether online, print or broadcast, must be approved by the Office of the Chancellor and the Principal.
  

• All official remarks regarding CHEC, its students or staff must be approved by the Office of the Chancellor and in consultation with the Principal.
  

• Members of staff should not comment  in an official capacity to the media on aspects of CHEC's work about which they have no direct knowledge, and should not divulge information of a confidential nature (e.g. privileged student information) or breach DCPS media guidelines regarding parental  consent, reporting on minors, etc.
  

• If you have a positive story  you want to tell, if you are being chased by the media for a comment or an interview or if you have any other media ideas, opportunities or concerns, please contact the Principal’s Office.