Sawgrass Elementary School principal upset after cartoon smiley face used to obscure school photo

SUNRISE, Fla. — The principal of Sawgrass Elementary School was not smiling when she saw what a photography studio did to obscure the face of a child who wasn't supposed to participate in picture day with the rest of his second grade class.

Sherry Rose was shocked to find, sitting in the front row, a student whose head had been replaced with a brown, cartoon smiley face.

"It was totally inappropriate," said School District spokeswoman Marsy Smith, conveying the principal's reaction. "She was very, very upset and immediately took action to reschedule a picture-taking session for Thursday."

Parents who ordered the first photo will get the replacement at no cost, she said.

It's not unusual for students to decline to participate in school pictures, Smith said. Parents do not have to give a reason.

Messages left at the photo studio, Broward School Pictures in Davie, were not returned Wednesday. The studio's website promises "we will insure the personal touch… Try us and see the difference. You'll be amazed."

The school's Parent Teacher Association, which coordinated the photo sessions, did not return an email and telephone message seeking comment.