Privacy Policy

Effective Date: October 2025
Last Updated: October 14, 2025

The Catoctin Chronicle (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is a student-run newspaper operated at Catoctin High School in Thurmont, Maryland. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information from readers, contributors, and visitors to our website and digital platforms.

Our web address is https://www.catoctinchronicle.org

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

a. Information You Provide

Submissions: Articles, photos, or other materials you send to us (including your name, email, and class year if applicable).
Contact Forms: If you contact us through our website or email, we collect your name, email address, and any message you include.
Comments or Surveys: If you leave a comment or complete a survey, we collect your name, email (if provided), and your responses.

b. Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, some basic information may be collected automatically, such as:

IP address and browser type
Date and time of access
Pages viewed and time spent on the site
This information helps us understand website traffic and improve user experience.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for purposes such as:

Publishing submitted content and giving proper credit to authors
Communicating with contributors or readers who contact us
Improving our website and its content
Monitoring engagement (such as page views or visitor counts)
Maintaining the safety and integrity of our website

We do not sell or share personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

3. Student and Minor Privacy

The Catoctin Chronicle follows Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) guidelines on student privacy and online conduct.

If you are under 18, please obtain permission from a parent, guardian, or teacher before submitting content or personal information.
We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13.

4. Cookies and Analytics

Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to:

Remember site preferences
Track anonymous usage statistics through analytics tools.

You can disable cookies through your browser settings, but some site features may not function properly without them.

5. Links to External Sites

Our website may contain links to other sites (such as news sources, FCPS resources, or community organizations). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external websites.

6. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect information we collect. However, no website or internet transmission is completely secure. Please avoid sharing sensitive personal information through public comments or submissions.

7. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us through our contact form:

https://catoctinchronicle.org/contact

Catoctin High School
14745 Sabillasville Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788

8. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.