Privacy Policy

Muslim American Community Association (MACA) Weekend Islamic School

Effective Date: January 15, 2025
Last Updated: September 2, 2025

Our Commitment to Privacy

The Muslim American Community Association (MACA) Islamic Weekend School (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “School”), also referred to as MACA Sunday School, is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our students, parents, volunteers, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share personal information in compliance with applicable laws, including the New Jersey Data Privacy Act (NJDPA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Information We Collect

Information About Children (Under 13)

We collect limited information about children enrolled in our Sunday School programs:

  • Registration Information: Child’s name, date of birth, grade level

  • Educational Records: Attendance, academic progress, Quran recitation assessments

  • Health Information: Emergency contact information, allergies, medical conditions (only as necessary for student safety)

  • Participation Records: Activities, events, contests participation

Important: We do NOT collect personal information from children under 13 through our website without verifiable parental consent.

Information About Teens (Ages 13-16)

For students ages 13-16, we collect the same categories of information as listed above. Under New Jersey law, we obtain parental consent before processing personal data of teens ages 13-16 for any purposes beyond basic educational services.

Information About Parents/Guardians

  • Contact Information: Name, address, phone numbers, email addresses

  • Emergency Contacts: Alternative contact persons and their information

  • Communication Preferences: Preferred method of contact, language preferences

  • Financial Information: Only when processing tuition payments (we do not store payment card information)

Information Collected Through Our Website

  • Contact Form Submissions: Name, email, city, message content

  • Technical Information: IP address, browser type, pages visited (collected automatically)

  • Cookies: We use essential cookies only for website functionality

How We Use Information

Educational Purposes

  • Providing Islamic education and Sunday School programs

  • Tracking student progress and attendance

  • Communicating with parents about their child’s education

  • Managing classroom assignments and activities

Administrative Purposes

  • Processing enrollment and registration

  • Managing tuition and fees

  • Ensuring student safety and emergency preparedness

  • Maintaining accurate school records

Communication

  • Sending school announcements and event notifications

  • Providing updates about programs and schedule changes

  • Responding to inquiries and requests

Legal Compliance

  • Complying with legal obligations

  • Protecting the rights and safety of students and staff

  • Maintaining records as required by law

Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal information based on:

  • Consent: Particularly for sensitive data and children’s information

  • Legitimate Interests: To operate our educational programs effectively

  • Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

  • Vital Interests: To protect health and safety in emergencies

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do NOT sell, rent, or trade personal information. We may share information only:

  • With Parents/Guardians: Regarding their child’s participation and progress

  • With Authorized Volunteers/Teachers: On a need-to-know basis for educational purposes

  • For Safety: In emergencies or to protect the safety of students

  • Legal Requirements: When required by law or valid legal process

  • Service Providers: Limited sharing with vendors who assist our operations (under strict confidentiality agreements)

Third-Party Educational Platforms

We use various third-party educational platforms and services to enhance our educational programs. These may include:

  • Learning Management Systems: Gibbon, Moodle, or similar platforms for course management, assignments, and grading
  • Communication Tools: Email services, messaging platforms, and parent communication apps
  • Assessment Tools: Online testing and Quran recitation evaluation platforms
  • Video Conferencing: For remote learning or make-up classes
  • Payment Processors: For tuition and fee collection
  • Cloud Storage: For educational materials and student work

Important Information About Third-Party Platforms:

  • Each platform has its own privacy policy and terms of service
  • We require all third-party educational service providers to maintain appropriate security measures
  • We share only the minimum information necessary for educational purposes
  • Parents will be notified before their child’s information is shared with a new educational platform
  • We maintain agreements with service providers that require them to protect student data

Your Rights Regarding Third-Party Platforms:

  • You may request a list of third-party services that process your child’s data
  • You may opt-out of optional third-party services (though some may be required for participation)
  • You have the right to access your child’s data on these platforms through us

Data Processing Locations:
Some educational platforms may process data outside the United States. By enrolling your child, you consent to the transfer of data to these platforms, subject to appropriate safeguards.

Data Security

We implement appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information:

  • Secure storage of physical records in locked facilities

  • Password-protected digital systems

  • Limited access on a need-to-know basis

  • Regular security training for staff and volunteers

  • Encryption of sensitive data in transit

Third-Party Security:

  • We conduct due diligence on all educational platform providers
  • We require contractual commitments to data security from all vendors
  • We regularly review the security practices of our third-party providers
  • In case of a breach at a third-party provider, we will notify affected families as required by law

Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary:

  • Student Records: 7 years after graduation or withdrawal

  • Financial Records: 7 years as required by law

  • Contact Information: Until you request deletion or opt-out

  • Website Data: 90 days for technical logs

Your Rights Under New Jersey Law

New Jersey residents have the right to:

  • Access: Confirm whether we process your personal data and access it

  • Correct: Request correction of inaccurate information

  • Delete: Request deletion of personal information (subject to legal requirements)

  • Portability: Receive your data in a portable format

  • Opt-Out: Opt out of certain data processing activities

How to Exercise Your Rights

Email: privacy-officer@school.macanj.org
In Person: The Principal, or The Vice-Principal
Mail: MACA Sunday School, 3 Lafayette Ave, Voorhees, NJ 08043

We will respond to requests within 45 days. You may appeal any decision by contacting us at the same address.

Children’s Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Children Under 13

  • We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through our website without verifiable parental consent

  • Parents may review, request deletion, or refuse further collection of their child’s information

  • We do not condition participation on disclosure of more information than necessary

Parental Rights

Parents/guardians have the right to:

  • Review personal information we have collected about their child

  • Request deletion of their child’s information

  • Refuse to allow further collection or use of their child’s information

  • Receive notice of our information practices

Verifiable Parental Consent

Before collecting personal information from children under 13 online, we obtain consent through:

  • Signed consent forms

  • Email confirmation with follow-up verification

  • Other methods approved under COPPA

Sensitive Data Protection

Under New Jersey law, certain information is considered “sensitive,” including:

  • Racial or ethnic origin

  • Religious beliefs

  • Health information

  • Biometric data

  • Precise geolocation

  • Information about children

We obtain explicit opt-in consent before processing sensitive data and implement enhanced security measures for such information.

Universal Opt-Out Mechanisms

Starting July 15, 2025, we will honor universal opt-out preference signals (such as Global Privacy Control) for applicable data processing activities.

California Residents

California residents may have additional rights under California privacy laws. Please contact us for more information about exercising these rights.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes by:

  • Posting the updated policy on our website

  • Sending email notifications to registered families

  • Posting notices at our physical location

Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or to exercise your privacy rights:

Privacy Contact:
MACA Weekend Islamic School Privacy Officer
3 Lafayette Ave
Voorhees, NJ 08043
Email: privacy-officer@school.macanj.org

New Jersey Attorney General:
To file a complaint about privacy violations:
Division of Consumer Affairs
https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/
(973) 504-6200

Accessibility

This Privacy Policy is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact us if you need this information in a different format.

The Muslim American Community Association (MACA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit religious organization committed to serving our community while respecting and protecting personal privacy.