Policy 10010 – Distribution and Display of Materials and Announcements

All distribution and display of approved materials and announcements by community organizations in or through schools or students, or through HCPSS communication channels, will comply with established HCPSS processes for such distribution.

Public agencies or non-profit service organizations will request permission to distribute free informational materials through the school system’s Public Information Office. Such materials will bear the sponsoring organization’s name.

The principal/designee will permit HCPSS students to disseminate approved materials and announcements that are not associated with school-sponsored or school-related activities, providing the materials or announcements comply with established procedures.

Violations of this policy and the associated procedures are subject to the following consequences:

The Public Information Office will ensure that all community organizations approved to disseminate approved materials in or through schools or students, or through HCPSS communication channels, are informed of the requirements of this policy and related procedures.

The principal/designee will ensure that HCPSS students who disseminate materials and announcements that are not associated with school-related activities, comply with this policy and related procedures.

HCPSS will inform parents annually of their right not to receive materials from community organizations approved for distribution in schools.

Approved Materials – Announcements, flyers, and other materials from approved community organizations, groups, students, or agencies authorized by the Public Information Office.

Distribution of Materials – Dissemination/Communication to students, parents, or the community via print or electronic format, or through multimedia. (Distribution also includes the delivery to another student or students on school property of a publication when the distributor has or has had in their possession multiple copies of the publication or the posting of a copy of the publication in one or more locations within the school or on school property.)

School-Related Activity – Any school system activity, whether held on or off school property, in which a student directly participates (e.g., school field trip, athletic event, or class/graduation activity), or in which the student does not directly participate but represents the school or student body simply by being there (e.g., spectator at a school event).

School-Sponsored – Taking place with the knowledge and approval of school-based administration and including the promotion, leadership, and/or participation of school employees. The assignment of a teacher, administrator, or other school employee to a meeting for custodial purposes does not constitute sponsorship of the meeting.

School Property – Any property owned or leased by the HCPSS for school-related activities. The concept of property extends to school activities such as field trips, use of recreation and parks facilities, proms at hotels, etc. School buses, bus stops, and facilities scheduled by the school system for student use are considered an extension of school property.