District 202 is happy to share information with students and staff from approved non-profit community groups and other organizations as appropriate.

All approved materials will be posted to the district’s online “Virtual Backpack” system to save resources, time, money and labor. Generally speaking, paper copies of approved materials are not widely distributed in District 202 schools.

On behalf of the Superintendent, the district Community Relations Department will review and approve all distribution requests from external organizations. “External” organizations includes any group that is not directly affiliated with the school to which it wishes to distribute, including requests for distribution to more than one school and other schools’ PTOs/PTAs, community organizations, booster groups, etc.

Pursuant to District 202 Board of Education Policy 8:25, all “advertising” materials must be from:

• Non-profit organizations that primarily do business within the district in furtherance of a benefit to the district.
• Any organization not included within the definition of a non-profit organization.

Per District practices, such organizations can include (but are not limited to): 

• another school or governmental entity;
• a non-profit, District 202-related organization (such as CAPE, the Foundation for Excellence, and Parent/Booster organizations) promoting a district-related, non-profit event or initiative;
• a private, for-profit organization that provides an educational public service and is renting space in a District 202 facility (such as Young Rembrandts, Chess Scholars or Mad Science), or which furthers school activities (such as class ring or picture companies);
• community athletic organizations, whether for-profit or non-profit;
• a private school within District 202's boundaries.
• Others (including for-profit companies) approved at the discretion of the Superintendent/superintendent’s designee

The Superintendent, or designee, shall not approve any advertisement that:

• Disrupts the educational process;
• Violates the rights or invades the privacy of others;
• Infringes on a trademark or copyright;
• Is defamatory, obscene, vulgar or indecent;
• Is inconsistent with District policies prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, handicap, age, or sexual orientation;
• Is misleading, inaccurate, or not age-appropriate or illegal for student use; or
• Pertain to any election matter, except when used as part of the curriculum

***Building principals may (but are not required to) review and approve requests to distribute hard copies of materials to their own students/staff from groups directly affiliated with their own schools such as their own PTO/PTA their own Student Council, etc. Such approval must still comply with the rules outlined above, and is subject to review by Tom Hernandez or the District Superintendent. 


NOTES:

• Materials advertising summer activities (camps, etc.) will be approved for online posting and/or office display only.

• District 202 will not distribute materials advertising events for which the sole purpose is fundraising, if a for-profit organization/business will benefit from any proceeds - for example, department store "scrip" programs.
  
  Such materials can be distributed to school/parent organizations to be used at the group's discretion to raise money for their organization/school. Because they are themselves non-profit organizations, parent groups can then distribute such information to students/staff at their own schools at the building principal's discretion.

• To assist families without Internet access, in addition to posting online, 25 copies of approved materials may be displayed in the main office at a school(s), and on a bulletin board specifically designated for this purpose. The applicant will make and distribute these materials.

• Posters may also be displayed with district approval - up to 3 per elementary school; 5 per middle school; and 10 per high school. The applicant will make and distribute these materials.

• Materials may be posted online through the entire school year.

Upon approval, applicants will receive appropriate approval forms for displaying fliers in the main office, putting up posters and/or distributing fliers to students. The applicant must present all copies and approval form(s) to the school(s) or materials will not be accepted.

POSTING MATERIALS TO THE DISTRICT 202 VIRTUAL BACKPACK

It’s easy to post materials to the District 202 Virtual Backpack. 

Simply complete the online form:

• Confirm that your organization is non-profit (we may contact you for a copy of your 501c(3) form or similar paperwork if you're posting for the first time)
• Indicate WHO your flier is intended for: students, staff or both; specific genders, grades or schools; ***NOTE: This step is intended to help viewers sort and pick those fliers that most interest/pertain to them. All approved fliers will appear online regardless of their intended audience.
• Indicate how long you would like your flier to remain posted online
• Indicate if you plan to display hard copies in the main office(s) of the appropriate schools. You may do this instead of OR in addition to posting fliers online. (A separate approval form will be provided. The applicant must make and deliver these materials and present the approval form upon delivery.)
• Indicate if you plan to display posters - you may do this instead of OR in addition to posting fliers online. (A separate approval form will be provided. The applicant must make and deliver these materials and present the approval form upon delivery.)
• Attach a PDF file of your flier or poster, and submit. 
  
  ***FLIERS MUST BE IN PDF FORMAT OR THEY WILL NOT POST.

You will receive an automated message confirming your successful submission. 

That's it!

Community Relations will review all applications, and post those that are approved, within 24-72 hours. 

Each week, Community Relations will publicize/promote the District 202 Virtual Backpack through its Education Partners e-mail newsletter, which is automatically sent to every student and staff email address.

PLEASE TRY TO PROVIDE AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE FOR REVIEW/POSTING.