School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 7-15

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Distribution/Announcement of Outside Communications

 

1. Generally
   
   
The School Board prohibits the distribution, by means of students, of materials or information which publicly endorse or support groups or organizations involved in a commercial endeavor for profit.


2. Public Announcements
   
   
Principals are authorized to arrange for announcements in the schools regarding community programs and scheduled activities or events which have educational or recreational value, as determined by the principal.


3. Distribution of Literature
   
   
Communications to parents and other citizens sent home by students as a means of mass communication carry the implication of endorsement by school personnel and the School Board. Such communications shall be carefully reviewed before permission is granted for distribution. Each principal is to review carefully requests to distribute pamphlets, notices, and other communications; and if in doubt, shall seek permission from the appropriate assistant superintendent in the Department of School Administration. If doubt exists at this level as to whether or not distribution should be made, permission shall be denied until the disposition of the matter is made by the Superintendent.


4. Within Schools
   
   
The distribution within schools of notices or communications originating with non-school organizations shall be restricted to patron organizations and to those announcements of a specific nature which, in the judgment of the principal, are of significant educational value.


5. By Students
   
   
Students should not be used to distribute notices or communications to parents unless such communications originate with the school, are of an official school nature, including patron organizations affiliated with the school, or possess significant educational value. Students shall only be used to distribute information of a non-school nature when it pertains to school-related organizations or when, in the judgment of the principal, such notice of information is of educational significance and/or important to the community as a whole.


6. Use of Interoffice (Pony) Mail Services
   
   
The use of the interschool mail distribution service shall be limited to school business and, with the approval of the Superintendent or his/her designee, communications by parent-teacher organizations, other school-related organizations, or employee organizations.

Editor's Note:

For advertising in the schools see school board policy 7-14 and any implementing regulations.

 

Adopted by School Board:     October 20, 1992
Amended by School Board:   May 9, 2006