Policies

Middletown Public Schools No. 1326A

Fundraising and Flyer Distribution

FUNDRAISING AND FLYER DISTRIBUTION

The purpose of this policy is to protect the rights of students pursuant to Rhode Island General Law, Section 16-38-6 and related laws which prohibit the involvement of students in commercial activities. By design, such laws address the potential harm of subjecting students to influential advertisement campaigns or presenting an expectation that a student must participate in some financial or personal way in an activity that does not directly relate to the district instructional goals.

Fundraising is deemed appropriate when it supports school goals and organizations, enhances classroom and school activities, or engages student in community service. To that end, this policy provides an authorized student group the latitude which is necessary for it to raise money to support the activities which it sponsors. However, no individual, group or organization for whatever purpose shall solicit, exact or receive from any pupil in any school any contribution or gift of money or article of value except under the conditions within this policy.

Given the interest in supporting school organizations and the educational value of engaging students in community service, the following guidelines should direct any fund raising event authorized in the school district.

The request for fundraising must be approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee prior to the proposed activity.
The request must be approved by the school administrator prior to submission to the Superintendent.
Fundraising events must not interfere with the instructional day as defined by the Regulations of the R.I. Board of Regents.
Fundraising activities must be consistent with the District Wellness Policy (Middletown Nutrition & Physical Activity Policy).
The fundraising activities must:

ü support the organizational goals for the requesting group and/or

ü demonstrate educational value for the instructional program, and/or

ü engage students in appropriate, school-authorized service-learning.

Student participation must be voluntary.
Students are prohibited from selling door-to-door.
No prizes or incentives shall be offered to increase competition among students.
All approved fundraising must be for the purpose(s) of raising funds for the Middletown Public Schools or charitable organizations authorized by law.
All raffles will conform to RI State Police Rules and Regulations Governing Games of Chance (Raffles).

No students shall sell raffle tickets which include alcoholic beverages or tobacco in the prize.
All fundraising activities will conform to RIGL, Section 16-38-6.
The authorized school group is responsible for all recordkeeping, collection of monies, planning and implementation. Records must be made available upon request.
No organization or individual shall enter into a contract without the prior authorization of the Superintendent/designee.

Nothing in this policy shall prohibit the following sales:

* School lunches	* School photographs
* School publications	* Accident Insurance
* Class rings	* Books/media as incentives for reading
* Tickets to school-sponsored events	* Tickets to interscholastic sporting events
* Products developed in technical classes	* School Department authorized sales

If anything contained within this policy is deemed to be in conflict with State or Federal law, the applicable State or Federal law, as the case may be, shall prevail, provided however, that the remainder of this policy shall remain in full force and effect.

1^st Reading – May 19, 2011 (Replaces Policy #1326)

2^nd Reading – June 16, 2011

Revised – November 16, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions About Fundraising

Q: I want to hold fundraising activity/event. What do I have to do?

A: This will be reviewed on a case by case basis. You must obtain an application for fundraising event/activity. You may obtain the form from the building principal at any Middletown Public School, or download it from our web site at www.mpsri.net. Each form details the steps to follow to complete the process.

Q: What is required to hold a fundraising activity/event?

A: A completed application, which includes the appropriate signatures and any additional documentation.

Q: Where do I get the application?

A: You may obtain an application at any school office or at the school department’s web site at www.mpsri.net.

Q: How soon can I hold the fundraising activity/event?

A: Processing an application takes approximately 2-3 weeks after the application is received in the Superintendent’s office. Please allow for this processing period when you submit your application.

Q: Can we use the school for fundraising events/activities?

A: This will be reviewed on a case by case basis. You must first obtain a Facilities Use Form. You may download the form from our web site at www.mpsri.net. Go to “Central Office”, “Facilities Management”, and then click on “Policies and Procedures”. The Facilities Use Policy is also available on the website.

Q. Can we distribute a flyer within the school department to announce the activity/event?

A: This will be reviewed on a case by case basis. All flyers must first be approved by the Office of the Superintendent. To obtain permission, please complete the Application for Flyer Distribution form included with this packet.

Q: Whom do I contact if I have additional questions?

A: Contact the building principal at the school in which you will be holding the fundraising activity/event or you may contact the Office of the Superintendent at 849-2122.

MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

26 Oliphant Lane

Middletown, Rhode Island 02842

For office use only:

This application is Approved for: _____Posting Only _____For Distribution to Students _____One Time Only

This application is Not Approved: _____For-profit _____Other: ___________________________________

Superintendent/Designee Signature: ________________________________________ Date: _________________ Comments (optional): ___________________________________________________________________________________________

APPLICATION FOR FLYER DISTRIBUTION

STEP 1 of 5: Contact Information (please print)

Group/Individual Requesting Approval for Distribution of Flyer: ___________________________________

School Affiliation: _____________________________________________________________________________

Chief Officer/Contact Person: ___________________________________________________________________

Street Address:__________________________ City: _____________________ State: _____ Zip Code: _______

Daytime Phone: (___)________________ Evening Phone: (___)_________________Fax: (___)______________

STEP 2 of 5: Flyer Description

r Date(s) for Distribution: ________________________________________________________________

r Purpose of Document ________________________________________________________________

STEP 3 of 5: Additional Documentation

r A copy of the flyer is included with this application.

STEP 4 of 5: Requestor Signature

The sponsoring organization shall hold the Middletown Public Schools free and without harm for any loss or damage liability or expense that may arise during or be caused in any way by such permission.

Signature: _____________________________________________________Date: _________________________

Chief Officer/School Organization

STEP 5 of 5: Mail Application to: Middletown Public Schools

Office of the Superintendent

26 Oliphant Lane

Middletown, Rhode Island 02842

Please note: Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing. The requestor will receive a copy of this application after it is fully approved by the Office of the Superintendent. Any changes must be submitted in writing and will affect process time.

Date Stamp Received by Superintendent’s Office:

The Middletown School Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race,

religion, national origin, sexual orientation, color or disability in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

26 Oliphant Lane

Middletown, Rhode Island 02842

For office use only:

This application is ___ Approved This application is ___Not Approved

Superintendent/Designee Signature: ______________________________________ Date: _________________ Comments (optional): ___________________________________________________________________________________________

APPLICATION FOR FUNDRAISING ACTIVITY/EVENT

STEP 1 of 8: Contact Information (please print)

Group/Individual Requesting Approval for Fundraising Activity/Event: ____________________________

School Affiliation: _____________________________________________________________________________

Chief Officer/Contact Person: ___________________________________________________________________

Street Address:__________________________ City: _____________________ State: _____ Zip Code: _______

Daytime Phone: (___)________________ Evening Phone: (___)_________________Fax: (___)______________

STEP 2 of 8: Activity/Event Description

r Date(s) of Fundraiser: Beginning _______________________ Ending ________________________

r Please describe type of fundraising activity/event in detail:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

r Please check all that apply:

____ This fundraising activity/event supports the organizational goals for the requesting group;

____ This fundraising activity/event demonstrates educational value for the instructional program;

____ This fundraising activity/event engages students in appropriate, school-authorized service-learning.

r Please respond to the following:

1. Is student participation voluntary? ____Yes ____No

2. Will fundraising activities/event take place during the instructional day? ____Yes ____No

3. Will prizes or incentives be awarded? ____Yes ____No

STEP 3 of 8: Approval for Flyer Distribution for this Activity/Event

r Would you like to distribute a flyer within the school district for this activity/event?

_____Yes ____No If YES, please complete the attached Application for Flyer Distribution Form and include the flyer and form with this request.

STEP 4 of 8: Special Permit for Games of Chance (Raffle)

r Will this fundraising activity/event include games of chance (raffle)? ____Yes ____No

If YES, please refer to www.risp.ri.gov/charitablegaming for the R.I. State Police Rules and Regulations Governing Games of Chance (Raffles) to apply for a games of chance permit.

The permit must be included with your application.

STEP 5 of 8: Additional Documentation

The following documents are included with this application: (please check all that apply)

r Fundraising Activity/Event Materials

r Application for Flyer Distribution Form

r Flyer for Activity/Event

r Games of Chance Permit

STEP 6 of 8: Requestor Signature

I have read and understand the Middletown Public Schools Guidelines for Fundraising. This event complies with State laws and the School Committee policies to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: ________________________________________________________Date: _______________

Chief Officer/School Organization

STEP 7 of 8: Review of Application by Building Principal

Prior to submitting this application to the Office of the Superintendent, approval must be granted by the building principal/designee.

I have reviewed this Application for Fundraising Activity/Event.

This application is ___Approved This application is ___Not Approved

Principal: _______________________________________________________ Date: ________________