School Board Policy 904 - Guidelines for the Distribution of Printed Materials by Nonschool Organizations

Purpose

White Bear Lake Area School District recognizes that many organizations foster growth, development, knowledge and understanding in our community. In an effort to cooperate with community organizations and convey useful information to students, families and staff, the school district allows the distribution of certain announcements and informational materials by nonschool organizations.

The action is not an endorsement of any event, service or point of view. Instead, it is an attempt to strengthen families and community by assisting in the dissemination of information. Permission to distribute print materials in White Bear Lake Area Schools is a privilege granted to organizations that meet district requirements and follow district procedures. The following guidelines ensure a consistent, equitable and efficient process for the distribution of nonschool materials in all district schools.

Material Requirements

Materials accepted for distribution must:

• Offer learning or enrichment opportunities for children, families and/or staff

Materials must NOT:

• Be obscene, indecent or vulgar
• Advocate illegal activities, violence or hate
• Include representations of illegal activities, violence or hate
• Defame an individual’s race, gender, sexual, religious or ethnic identity
• Discriminate or inhibit equal opportunity
• Proselytize or promote a particular faith or religious viewpoint

Commercial and Political Advertising

We will not distribute commercial advertising or political advertising.

Religious Organizations

We will distribute materials from religious organizations if: 1) the materials share information about learning or enrichment opportunities for children, families and/or staff; and 2) any event or announcement associated with the distribution do not involve proselytizing or promoting a particular faith or religious viewpoint.

Requests for Distribution

All requests for distribution of materials will be screened as follows:

• All requests for distribution must be approved by the Community Services Director.
• For district approval of materials, send by e-mail, fax or regular mail a sample of your materials, a list of schools you want materials distributed to, and the student grade levels that will be receiving the information to:

E-mail: Tim.Maurer@isd624.org
Fax: 651-407-7502

U.S. Mail: White Bear Community Services & Recreation
Tim Maurer, Director
4855 Bloom Ave.
White Bear Lake, MN 55110

Disclaimer Statement

The following disclaimer statement must be on each item to be distributed.

This event, class, activity or matter is not sponsored or endorsed by White Bear Lake Area School District #624 and this information was not printed at District expense.)

Elementary School Distribution

Approved materials will be distributed to each elementary student via placement in weekly take-home folders, according to the following procedure.

• Materials must meet district guidelines.
• Materials for student take-home folders must be bundled in groups as designated on our packet sheet for each classroom.
• For distribution in multiple schools, materials may be delivered to the District Production department for inter-school delivery.
• Materials must be bundled, packed and clearly marked for each school.
• Elementary student enrollment figures are available from the Community Services Department.

Secondary School Distribution

Approved materials will be distributed to secondary students via placement at pick-up locations in district buildings according to the following procedure:

• Materials must meet the district guidelines.
• Approval of materials will be determined by the Community Services Director.
• Materials must be bundled, packed and clearly marked for each school.
• For distribution in multiple schools, materials may be delivered to the District Production department for inter-school delivery.
• Approved materials will be placed at a pick-up location determined by the principal or building manager. Students will be informed of the material and how to access the material through announcements or other means.
• Approved materials must be delivered to the school office or community services program office. Enrollment figures are available from the Community Services Department.

Staff Distribution

Approved materials will be distributed to district staff, according to the following procedure:

• Materials must meet district guidelines.
• Approval of materials will be determined by the Community Services Director.
• Approved materials will be placed in staff mailboxes or at a pick-up location determined by the principal or building manager.
• Materials must be bundled, packed and clearly marked for each school
• For distribution in multiple schools, materials may be delivered to the District Production department for inter-school delivery.
• Staff counts are available from the Community Services Department.
• In some cases, information sharing via electronic e-mail distribution will be allowed. E-mail distribution must be approved and facilitated by the Community Services Director.

Posting Materials in District Buildings

Materials that meet district guidelines may be posted in district buildings. Approval, placement and removal of posters will be determined by the school principal or building manager.