Flyer Approval Process

Alum Rock Union Elementary School District allows flyers to be distributed to its students from local organizations as a courtesy to the community. All flyers MUST be approved prior to distribution at any school site(s). Below are the ARUSD’s guidelines for flyer approval:

• All content within a flyer must align with ARUSD BP 1325
• Flyers and posters shall not promote a political or religious activity
• Flyers meeting the above requirements shall include the following disclaimer:
  • "_______________ is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Alum Rock Union Elementary School District or its schools. This information is being shared as a courtesy and is only for informational purposes.”
     

Once ALL requirements have been met and the disclaimers have been placed on the flyer(s), you may submit your flyer(s) in PDF format.

Email your flyer(s) to Sergio Diaz Luna, Chief of Communications and Community Engagement at sergio.diaz-luna@arusd.org.

IMPORTANT: Alum Rock Union Elementary School District DOES NOT copy or distribute flyers to school sites for any organization; all costs associated with flyer distribution will be paid for by the requesting organization. 

If your flyer meets ALL of the requirements above and is approved, you will be notified via email. 

Please take the following into consideration as you plan for distributing your flyers: 

• Submit flyers at least two weeks in advance of any event.
• Flyers are reviewed and distributed once a week, on Fridays.
• The event/program/rehearsal must take place within Santa Clara County.
• All documents must be PDF format.
• If you have a Spanish and Vietnamese version of your flyer, please include them as additional pages to your PDF document.

BP 1325 For Reference

The Board of Trustees establishes this policy to ensure effective and consistent standards for advertisements and promotions by nonschool groups in school-sponsored publications, on district and school web sites and social media, and on school facilities and grounds. Student speech shall be regulated in accordance with BP/AR 5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression. 

Purpose

In implementing this policy, the Board does not intend to create an open forum for advertising or promotion of activities. Rather, the Board intends to enhance community partnerships by outlining how the District will advertise and promote opportunities to families in schools. This policy is intended to outline how the District will advertise and promote materials from 1) organizations with which it has entered into a contract or partnership for a defined temporary term, including but not limited to a shared Memorandum of Understanding for services at schools, 2) companies which have provided financial or other contributions to further the District's educational mission, or otherwise advanced the quality of education in the District, and 3) opportunities and materials from 501(c)(3) not for profit organizations and public entities (districts, schools, and government agencies).

Limited Public Forum

The Board desires to promote positive relationships between district schools and the community in order to enhance community partnerships, support, and involvement in the schools.  The Superintendent or designee may, consistent with the criteria established in this policy, approve:

1. Distribution of noncommercial materials that publicize services, special events, public meetings, or other gatherings of interest to students or parents/guardians

2. Distribution of promotional materials of a commercial nature to students or parents/guardians

3. Paid advertisements on school property, including, but not limited to, advertisements on school buildings, athletic fields, scoreboards, and billboards

4. Paid advertisements in school-sponsored publications, yearbooks, announcements, and other school communications, including web sites and social media

5. Products and materials donated by commercial enterprises for educational use, including those that bear the name and/or logo of the donor, as long as they do not unduly promote the donor or any commercial activity or product

Prior to the distribution, posting, or publishing of any nonschool group's promotional materials or advertisement, the Superintendent, principal, or designee shall review the materials or advertisement based on the criteria listed below. They may not disapprove materials or advertisement in an arbitrary or capricious manner or in a way that discriminates against a particular viewpoint on a subject that is otherwise allowed by Board policy.

All materials to be distributed shall bear the name and contact information of the sponsoring entity.

As necessary, the Superintendent, principal, or designee shall require a disclaimer on any nonschool group's promotional materials to be distributed, posted, or published, stating that the distribution, posting, or publishing of the materials does not imply district endorsement of the group's activities, products, or services.  District- and school-sponsored publications shall include a disclaimer stating that the district or school does not endorse any advertised products or services.

Criteria for Approval

The Superintendent, principal, or designee shall not accept for distribution, or allow on school property, any materials or advertisements that:

1. Are lewd, obscene, libelous, or slanderous

2. Incite students to commit unlawful acts, violate school rules, or disrupt the orderly operation of the schools

3. Promotes a program, service, event, or membership in which the ultimate participant will incur a cost, unless it is shared on behalf of a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization or public entity.

4. Promote any particular political interest, candidate, party, or ballot measure, unless the candidates or advocates from all sides are provided the opportunity to present their views to the students during school hours or during events scheduled pursuant to the Civic Center Act

5. Contain prayer or proselytizing language

6. Position the district on any side of a controversial issue

7. Discriminate against, attack, or denigrate any group on account of any unlawful consideration

8. Promote the use or sale of materials or services that are illegal or inconsistent with school objectives, including, but not limited to, materials or advertisements for tobacco, intoxicants, and movies or products unsuitable for children

9. Promote during the school day any food or beverage that does not comply with state nutritional standards pursuant to Education Code 49430-49434, including a corporate incentive program that offers free or discounted foods or beverages that do not meet nutritional standards as rewards for students who reach certain academic goals. This prohibition does not include advertising on clothing with brand images worn on school grounds, advertising contained in product packaging, or advertising of infrequent school fundraising events involving food or beverages that do not meet the nutritional standards.  (Education Code 49431.9)

10. Solicit funds or services for an organization, with the exception of solicitations authorized in Board policy

11. Distribute unsolicited merchandise for which an ensuing payment is requested

The Superintendent or designee may also consider the educational value of the materials or advertisements, the age or maturity of the students in the intended audience, and whether the materials or advertisements support the basic educational mission of the district, directly benefit the students, or are of intrinsic value to the students or their parents/guardians.

Schools may establish additional criteria pertaining to the content of advertisements in school publications and yearbooks, as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent or designee in accordance with law and Board policy.