Frequently Asked Questions

(Feel free to Contact Us and send us your suggestions for improving this FAQ page).

 

1. If I join this site, will my information be protected?

Answer: Yes. Here are the details:

• This site is developed and administered by your WJ 1977 classmates through the services of a private company (Class Creator) that specializes in high school class sites like this one. Class Creator has a strict policy that it will never rent or sell any classmate information to a third party.
• Only classmates with a password may use the system, and the information you share can be seen only by them. Moreover, you can even limit what your classmates are able to see (by clicking on "Edit Profile" when you are logged in).  In particular, your email address is never shared with anyone (not even other classmates, unless of course you share it with them directly).
• In addition to the above, classmates will receive messages through this site from other classmates only, and never from Class Creator or or anyone else. And Class Creator does not allow commercial advertising on any of its sites. So, no spam and no ads.
• Please note: The public can see only very limited information on this site. For example, anyone can see the names of our graduating class as this is public information.  However, the public cannot see classmate profiles on this site or any other information that could be considered private.

 

2. Is there a cost to join this site?

Answer: No, everyone in the WJ Class of 1977 can use this site free of charge.

 

3. If there is no cost to join, who pays for the site?

Answer: All the work on this site is performed on a volunteer basis by your WJ 1977 classmates, and the annual site hosting costs are shared by our team.  If you would like to make a donation, please Contact Us and let us know.  Any amount is appreciated, and donations in excess of the hosting costs will be used to support our next reunion. Please note: While this website is not-for-profit, we are not formally registered with the IRS as a 501(c) organization -- as a result, your donation is not tax deductible.

 

4. I can't hear the music on the site... what's the story?

Answer: When you visit WJ1977.com, a pop-out box on the home page asks you if you want to listen to the music while visiting the site.  If you answer 'yes', a separate music player is launched and it plays independently of the website (so you can go to any page on the website and still enjoy the music).  If you can't hear the music, here are a couple things to check:

• Make sure your computer speakers are not muted and the volume is turned up.
• If you are on a mobile device, such as an iPad, the music player may not work.
• If you go to the home page and don't see the pop-out box asking you if you want music, you should check your browser to make sure you do not have a 'cookie' set called 'mp3_popup_player_closed' (or something similar to that).  This cookie is set on your computer if you ever select 'no' on the pop-out box, and it stays that way permanently.  If you have this cookie, you can simply delete it, and when you refresh the home page you will see the pop-out box.  Regardless of whether this cookie is set or not, you can always go to the bottom of the home page where it says "Music accompanies this page... click here to listen", and click the link -- that will launch the music player.

 

5. Can I join the site even if I don't plan to attend the next reunion?

Answer: Yes. This site enables your to reconnect with old friends and reminisce about your days at WJ, regardless of whether you plan to attend the next reunion. Please join!

 

6.  When is a classmate considered 'missing'?  That is, why is someone's name listed on the "Missing Classmates" page?

Answer: A classmate is listed on the Missing Classmates page when they have not yet registered (created a profile) on WJ1977.com.

You can help track down missing classmates if you know (or can find out) their current email address. Simply click on the Missing Classmates page, then click on their name and enter their email address.  They will receive an automated email with a link to WJ1977.com.  Or you can simply send them a personal email invitation to join with a link to WJ1977.com. Or just give them a call. Alternatively, feel free to click on Contact Us and we can update the database and send them an invitation to join.

A missing classmate can join WJ1977.com directly by simply by clicking on their own name and registering.

 

7. Is there something I can do to help improve WJ1977.com?

Answer: Yes, there are plenty of things you can do. Here are some ideas:

• Add more stuff to your profile. We’ve heard from a lot of classmates that they really enjoy reviewing the profiles of their WJ 1977 classmates to see what they’ve been up to over the years and what they are doing now. Consider adding photos or even a video!
• Help track down classmates who have not yet joined WJ1977.com and invite them to join. Click on our Missing Classmates page and if you see a name of someone you are in touch with, please click on their name and follow the simple instructions.
• If you have some cool stuff in an old box that other classmates would love to see – such as an old cop of The Pitch, a football program, a school play program, etc., please share it with us so that we can post it on our site. See some examples of what we’ve posted so far on our WJ 1977 Library page. If you have something to share, please click on Contact Us and we'll work together to get it posted.
• Do you have some photos from a past reunion or other social event? If so, please share them with everyone – just click on Past Event Photos and follow the simple instructions.
• If you have a publicly viewable music playlist on the Internet, we can add it to our site on your behalf. Just click on Contact Us and let us know what you have to share.
• Consider participating in the Classmate Forums discussion topics. Talk about your favorite teachers from WJ or contribute to one of the other discussions.
• We have obituaries and photos for many, but not all, of our deceased classmates. Please click on In Memory and if you have something to contribute, please do so. You can also add comments to the page of a deceased classmate.
• If you have an idea for improving this, our Frequently Asked Questions page, please click on Contact Us and share your suggestion with us.

See, there is a plenty you can do to help improve WJ1977.com!

 

8. I have some stuff from WJ that I would like to see added to the "WJ 1977 Library". What do I do?

Answer: To find out how you can contribute something, please go to the WJ 1977 Library and scroll to the bottom of the page.

 

9. I launched my browser on my computer, went to WJ1977.com, and was able to see classmate profiles. I thought I had to log in to see classmate profiles. What's going on?

Answer:  At some point you were logged into WJ1977.com and closed your browser without logging off the system. When you launched your browser again, the website thought you were still logged in. If you click on "Log Out" (under "Member Funtions" on the left-side menu), the system will log you out and the next time you visit the site you will have to log in again to see classmate profiles and other protected information.

 

10. Is there anything I should do to ensure I receive messages from WJ1977.com, including private messages from other classmates?

Yes, it's important you whitelist the email address noreply@classcreator.net (that's a .net, not a .com).

What is whitelisting? Whitelisting simply means you are telling your email program to accept all emails coming from our class web site and fellow classmates. The technique for whitelisting varies by email program, but generally you will see the term "Whitelist", "Safe List", or "Safe Sender's List". This is where you want to be sure you have added the email address noreply@classcreator.net.  Class Creator, the system that helps us operate our class web site, uses this address when sending out email messages. Be assured that all emails sent through our site are valid — you will not receive spam email. Whitelisting noreply@classcreator.net is the single most important thing you can do to ensure you don't miss anything happening on our site or miss receiving your emails from your fellow classmates.

Stop and take a moment to whitelist noreply@classcreator.net right now, and ensure you stay connected!

 

11.  I am on Facebook and belong to the "Walter Johnson High School Class of 1977" Facebook group. Should I still join this website?

Answer: Yes, and there are a number of reasons why:

• This site has a lot of functionality unique to our high school class. Examples include our "Missing Classmates" page that enables everyone on the site to help locate those who have not yet joined, and our "In Memory" page of deceased classmates. Further, there is unique content such as the program from our graduation day ceremonies -- and we plan to add more such content over time.
• The profiles on this site are quite different than Facebook. For example, when viewing a classmate's profile, you can see what elementary and junior high schools they attended, their favorite memories about WJ, favorite teachers, and much more.
• This site is private and only WJ 1977 classmates and invited guests can join. Everything you see is about our high school graduating class -- without the clutter, including ads, you may experience on a site like Facebook.
• The Facebook group will continue to be used as a communication tool for classmates. If you don't already belong to it, you might consider doing so.  Click here to visit the Facebook group. Of course, you don't need to be on Facebook to enjoy this site.

 

12. How was the list of names on the Classmate Profiles page created?

Answer:  The list of names on the Classmates Profiles page is intended to include everyone who was in the WJ Class of 1977, including those who may not have graduated with our class (e.g., they moved away before senior year, they graduated early, etc.)  Each name on the Classmate Profiles page fits into one of the following categories:

• The classmate has a senior photo in our 1977 yearbook The Windup.
• The classmate is listed in the official Commencement Exercises from our graduation at Shady Grove Music Fair on June 9, 1977.
• The classmate fits into a special situation, e.g., they were a member of our class year but graduated early (and as a result were not any of the categories above).

In addition, the Classmate Profiles page includes guests such as students from other class years, teachers, coaches, etc.

If you know of someone you feel is missing from our Classmate Profiles page, please Contact Us and let us know.

 

13. If I want to suggest someone as a guest on WJ1977.com, what do I do?

Answer:  If you'd like to suggest someone as a guest, please click on Contact Us and send their name, email address, and relationship to the WJ Class of 1977.  Typically, guests include students from other class years, teachers, coaches, etc.

 

(Feel free to Contact Us and send us your suggestions for improving this FAQ page).