SMS Privacy Policy
Kent Denver School Text Messaging Service
Last Updated: October 29, 2025
Introduction
Kent Denver School ("KDS," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected through our SMS text messaging service. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information when you participate in our SMS communications program.
FERPA Compliance: As an educational institution, we comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable privacy laws to protect student education records and personal information.
Information We Collect
Personal Information Collected
Required Information:
Mobile phone number
Name (first and last)
Relationship to school (student, parent, guardian, staff, faculty, etc.)
Optional Information:
Email address
Student ID number (for current students)
Grade level or graduation year
Emergency contact information
Preferred communication language
Automatically Collected Information
Technical Data:
Message delivery status and timestamps
Device type and carrier information
Opt-in and opt-out timestamps
Response data to our messages
Usage Data:
Interaction with our messages (opening, clicking links)
Frequency of communication preferences
Service usage patterns
How We Collect Information
Collection Methods
Direct Collection:
Online consent forms on our website and parent portal
Written consent forms during enrollment or registration
Text-to-join campaigns using designated keywords
In-person registration at school events
Phone-based enrollment with verbal consent followed by written confirmation
Indirect Collection:
Information provided by parents/guardians for minor students
Updates from school information systems
Correction requests from users
Consent Requirements
Express Written Consent: We obtain clear, express written consent before sending any SMS messages. Consent includes:
Agreement to receive messages from Kent Denver School
Understanding of message types and frequency
Acknowledgment of potential message and data charges
Knowledge of opt-out procedures
Double Opt-In: For promotional or non-essential communications, we may use a double opt-in process requiring confirmation of initial subscription.
How We Use Your Information
Primary Uses
Educational Communications:
Sending school announcements and updates
Academic reminders and deadline notifications
Event information and schedule changes
Transportation updates and delays
Emergency Communications:
Safety alerts and emergency notifications
School closure announcements
Shelter-in-place instructions
All-clear notifications
Administrative Purposes:
Verifying delivery of important communications
Managing subscription preferences
Maintaining compliance with communication regulations
Responding to user inquiries and support requests
FERPA-Compliant Uses
Student Information: When SMS messages contain student-specific information, we ensure:
Messages are sent only to authorized recipients (parents of minor students, eligible students 18+)
Content relates to legitimate educational interests
Transmission occurs through secure, FERPA-compliant systems
Information is protected from unauthorized disclosure
Information Sharing and Disclosure
Third-Party Service Providers
SMS Platform Provider: We share necessary information with our SMS service provider (Twilio) solely for message delivery purposes. Our provider:
Is contractually bound to protect your information
Uses information only for message delivery
Maintains security standards appropriate for educational data
Complies with our data protection requirements
Technology Vendors: Limited information may be shared with:
Student information system providers
Website hosting and security providers
Analytics providers (with anonymized data only)
Disclosure Without Consent
FERPA Exceptions: We may disclose information without consent only in situations permitted by FERPA, including:
School officials with legitimate educational interests
Other schools to which a student is transferring
Accrediting organizations
Compliance with legal subpoenas or court orders
Emergency situations involving health and safety
Legal Requirements: We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of our school community.
Information We Do Not Share
We do not:
Sell, rent, or trade personal information to third parties
Share information with marketing companies
Disclose student education records to unauthorized parties
Use information for commercial purposes unrelated to education
Data Security and Protection
Security Measures
Technical Safeguards:
Encryption of data in transit and at rest
Secure data centers with restricted access
Regular security updates and monitoring
Firewalls and intrusion detection systems
Administrative Safeguards:
Employee training on privacy and data protection
Access controls limiting who can view personal information
Regular privacy audits and assessments
Incident response procedures
Physical Safeguards:
Secured facilities and equipment
Controlled access to data storage areas
Proper disposal of devices containing personal information
FERPA Security Requirements
Educational Data Protection:
Student information transmitted through FERPA-compliant systems
Restricted access to education records
Audit trails for access to student information
Secure destruction of records when no longer needed
Data Retention and Deletion
Retention Periods
Active Subscriptions: Retained for as long as you remain subscribed to our SMS service.
Former Subscribers: Retained for 24 months after opt-out to comply with legal requirements, honor opt-out requests, and maintain communication compliance records.
Student Records: Retained according to institutional retention policy and FERPA requirements.
Data Deletion
Automatic Deletion: Personal information is automatically deleted after applicable retention periods expire.
User-Requested Deletion: You may request deletion of your information by:
Contacting our privacy officer at mkemper@kentdenver.org
Submitting a written request to our main office
Using our online data request form
Exceptions: Some information may be retained longer when required by law or for legitimate educational purposes.
Your Privacy Rights
Access Rights
You have the right to know what personal information we have about you, request copies, understand how it is used, and receive information in an accessible format.
Correction Rights
You may correct inaccurate personal information, update contact preferences, modify subscription settings, and report errors in your records.
Control Rights
You can opt out of messages at any time by replying "STOP," choose message types and frequency preferences, update contact information, and pause subscriptions temporarily.
FERPA Rights
Under FERPA, eligible students and parents have the right to access student education records, request amendment of inaccurate records, control disclosure of personally identifiable information, and file complaints regarding FERPA violations.
Opt-Out and Unsubscribe
How to Opt Out
Text "STOP" to any message from us, call (303) 770-7660 during business hours, email techsupport@kentdenver.org, use our website contact form, or visit our main office during business hours.
Opt-Out Effects
Messages stop within 24 hours
You receive a final confirmation message
You can opt back in using the same methods as initial subscription
Exceptions
Even after opting out, you may still receive emergency communications if required for safety purposes and permitted by law.
Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)
Parental Consent: For students under 13, we obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting information. Parents can review and delete their child's information and control participation in the SMS service.
Limited Collection: We collect only information necessary for educational communications and emergency notifications.
California Privacy Rights (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, including the right to know, delete, opt out of sale (we do not sell personal information), and the right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
Notification: We will notify you of material changes through SMS, our website, or email (if provided).
Effective Date: Changes become effective 30 days after notification unless immediate implementation is required by law.
Continued Use: Continued use of our SMS service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Information
Privacy Questions:
Kent Denver School
4000 E Quincy Ave, Englewood, CO 80113
Email: mkemper@kentdenver.org
Phone: (303) 531-7490
General Inquiries:
Main Office: (303) 770-7660
Email: techsupport@kentdenver.org
Website: www.kentdenver.org
FERPA Compliance
FERPA Coordinator: Andrew Teets, Information and Data Manager
Email: ateets@kentdenver.org
Phone: (303) 770-7660 ext. 310
Complaints
You may file complaints internally with our privacy officer, with the Family Policy Compliance Office (FERPA), the Federal Communications Commission (TCPA), or the Colorado State Attorney General for state privacy laws.
Effective Date
This Privacy Policy is effective as of October 29, 2025 and applies to all information collected through our SMS service from that date forward.
Last Reviewed: July 11, 2025
Next Review Date: June 1, 2026
This Privacy Policy complies with FERPA, TCPA, COPPA (where applicable), and other relevant privacy laws.