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- Brand Guidelines
- Flyer Distribution
- Public Information Requests
- Public Education Management System Standard Reports
- Social Media Guidelines
- Volunteering at FISD
Brand Guidelines
Flyer Distribution
Fredericksburg ISD does not allow for-profit businesses to distribute paper flyers to students.
The district prohibits for-profit businesses from displaying flyers within campus hallways.
All flyers, posters, and other promotional materials from approved boosters, PTAs, student clubs, and other school/district-approved departments and programs should be approved by the community relations department and/or FISD designee and should include a disclaimer at the bottom that states it has been reviewed and approved.
ONLY non-profit organizations are approved for electronic flyer distribution through the Peachjar system.
The Peachjar system manages electronic flyer distribution on behalf of Fredericksburg ISD as a resource for our parents to stay more connected to our internal support organizations (like PTA and Booster Clubs) and to the approved non-profit community partners.
The Peachjar e-flyer service is provided as an opportunity for non-profit organizations to share information that is beneficial to FISD parents and students and is not a source of advertising revenue for the district. (For-profit vendors will be denied approval for district-wide distribution of their products/services.)
Flyer approval does not constitute an endorsement. Approval simply means the material has been reviewed and meets the guidelines for district-wide electronic distribution. FISD administration reserves the right to rescind approval to any organization or person if a complaint is received or the organization or person violates instructions.
- E-Flyer Guidelines and Policies
- Paper Flyers
- How to Submit an E-Flyer (External Organization)
- E-Flyer Checklist
E-Flyer Guidelines and Policies
General guidelines for flyer approval are as follows:
- All flyers to be posted through the Peachjar system are approved through the School and Community Relations (SCR) office.
- All flyers must be submitted in PDF format. All other formats will not be accepted. Please keep the file size under 2 MG.
- Submissions of flyers in both English and Spanish are highly encouraged.
- Flyers must be from non-profit, non-commercial community organizations or approved internal FISD schools, clubs, and/or organizations.
- External non-profit community organizations should submit their flyers for consideration through the Peachjar website and may incur a fee for distribution. (Follow the instructions on the Peachjar site under the Community Orgs tab.)
- Flyer content must not advocate a religious or a political viewpoint.
- In granting approval, the Superintendent or designee shall reject any flyers or materials that are reasonably foreseeable to be disruptive, libelous, obscene, inflammatory, sexually or otherwise inappropriate for the age of the audience, that are inconsistent with the Ten Ethical Principles, that advertise alcohol or tobacco products, or that endorse actions endangering the health or safety of students and/or staff.
- Events charging a fee for participation are discouraged. Exceptions to this are events, classes, or camps being sponsored by an agency with which the district has a partnership.
- All for-profit vendors will be denied approval for district-wide distribution of their products/services.
- District/school fundraising activities need a commitment from a sponsoring school’s PTO, Booster Club or campus administrator. Flyers must CLEARLY STATE that the fundraising activity has been approved by FISD and is being offered through the specific sponsor. (Ex: This Spirit Night Fundraiser with My Favorite Restaurant is being offered by Fredericksburg PTO and has been approved by FISD.)
- Advertisements for fee-based services, such as private tutoring, music lessons, etc. are prohibited. Fee-based, private sports/arts/academic camps will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Community Relations Department if you are interested in offering a class to be advertised.
- Flyers promoting classes, camps, or activities that are competing against FISD sponsored or supported activities and programs (such as After-School Enrichment, Athletics Camps, and other district-approved activities and programs) will not be distributed as they would be considered “competing against” the district.
- All flyers submitted for consideration by a community non-profit organization should include a non-profit disclaimer somewhere on the flyer, along with an active website address for additional information.
- Non-profit community organizations that submit flyers for consideration via the Peachjar website must keep a current IRS Determination Letter on their Peachjar account for additional reference.
- Flyer approval does not constitute an endorsement. Approval simply means the material has been reviewed and meets the guidelines for district-wide electronic distribution. FISD administration reserves the right to rescind approval to any organization or person if a complaint is received or the organization or person is found to be in violation of instructions.
- Since public school policies are subject to change due to legislative action and other outside influences, FISD reserves the right to terminate any flyer postings that conflict with the district policy or legislation.
For additional information on Board Policies that apply to materials distributed through this service, refer to the following online documents:
Paper Flyers
Paper flyers are not permitted for district-wide distribution, including flyers in folders and general distribution to students or on campus hallways. Per FISD's exclusive agreement with Peachjar, the distribution of flyers and other marketing materials – whether electronic or paper – should go through Peachjar.
Limited Exception
Approved paper flyer distribution (via folders, hallway postings, etc.) is permitted at the principal's discretion, BUT ONLY AFTER electronic distribution through Peachjar has been processed. For a fee, non-profit organizations outside of the district/school may submit flyers for review and electronic distribution/email through the Peachjar system ONLY.)
How to Submit an E-Flyer (External Organization)
Flyers submitted from for-profit businesses will not be approved. IRS Determination Letters are required for nonprofit approval and must be current on your Peachjar account.
The Peachjar system manages electronic flyer (e-flyer) distribution on behalf of FISD using electronic communication technology. Once your e-flyer is posted to a school’s Peachjar site, parents can view your e-flyer through the Peachjar logo on the school’s website. Additionally, your e-flyer will be delivered to all parents’ emails as an embedded image, not a link. This means parents will immediately see your e-flyer and be able to click through to your website to sign-up or view additional information. Peachjar charges a fee for this service, typically much less than the cost to copy and deliver flyers to each school. (* Additionally, FISD guidelines do not permit paper flyer distribution to schools. So, please do not drop off paper copies to schools.)
To post an e-flyer, register at www.peachjar.com, and select your desired school(s). Your e-flyer is then automatically submitted to the district for approval. Once approved, your e-flyer will be delivered to parents and posted online.
The following items are reviewed on e-flyer submissions and approvals:
- All flyers submitted for consideration should include a non-profit disclaimer somewhere on the flyer.
- Non-profit organizations must keep a current IRS Determination Letter on their Peachjar account for additional reference. Flyers from organizations without a current IRS Determination Letter will not be approved.
- Flyer content should be specific to the non-profit organization submitting the flyer and should not include unrelated business, activities, or events, nor promote for-profit business/commerce.
Out of courtesy to our parents and their inboxes, one day each week has been set aside for electronic distribution of all e-flyers. (*Exceptions may be made to adjust for holidays and district office closures or as required by district staff.) E-flyer submissions for consideration must be uploaded to the Peachjar system before 4 p.m. on Monday. E-flyers received AFTER 4 p.m. on Monday are not guaranteed consideration until the following week. E-flyer posting to email can take up to 24-48 hours. Please take this into consideration when submitting your e-flyers.
Service Fees
Peachjar is an innovative way to deliver e-flyers directly to parents’ inboxes. E-flyers are also posted online, so parents can easily find, view and share. With Peachjar, you can maximize exposure to your activity, program, or event while helping schools save time, money, and lots of trees! Peachjar service fees are for organizations outside of schools with participation fees. Peachjar offers free postings for schools, parent organizations, and community organizations with no participation fees or enticements. Visit Peachjar for full details on Service Fees and Credits. For more information on who pays a service fee, please view the Peachjar policies page. Fredericksburg ISD does not generate revenue from Peachjar service fees and does not approve flyers from for-profit businesses. For more information, visit the Peachjar website and email specific questions about posting flyers in FISD to rachelm@fisd.org.
E-Flyer Checklist
- Is the flyer promoting a fundraiser?
- If yes…
- Have you attached your approved district fundraising permission request form? ALL fundraisers need to have an approved form on file with FISD, whether or not you submit an e-flyer for Peachjar distribution.
- Is there contact information included on the flyer, in case someone has a question? (ie: an email address or website)
- If no…
- Has your campus front office reviewed and approved the content of what you are sending out to school parents? (Your required disclaimer will say they HAVE, so please be sure someone at the campus – your sponsor or front office designee – has approved the flyer to be distributed.)
- If yes…
- Does the title of the flyer include SPECIFICALLY WHO is sponsoring/coordinating the activity/event?
- Does the flyer contain the required disclaimer?
- Does the flyer have the correct website?
- If audited, is the website in compliance with FISD? (See your booster/PTA guidelines for specifics.)
- If sponsors are visible on the flyer, are they in compliance with the Board Policy on Advertising? (Specifically, no alcohol, tobacco, firearms, religious or political organizations?)
- If appropriate, are you using the correct and approved logo/mascot for your campus/program?
- Do you have the correct date and times listed? (We won’t check that for accuracy! But this is a good thing to review prior!)
Public Information Requests
In accordance with policies GBA and GBAA and the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, the Fredericksburg Independent School District (FISD) makes all of its public records available to citizens.
The TPIA does not require governmental bodies to create new information, perform legal research, or answer questions. The request must ask for records or information already in existence.
Please note this is not the appropriate process to request transcripts or education records. Education records, as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) are confidential and are not subject to the Texas Public Information Act. Therefore, in order to receive education records related to a student, a request must be submitted to the Fredericksburg ISD campus the student attends or most recently attended. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Procedures to Obtain Information
As provided by the Texas Public Information Act, all public information requests must be made in writing.
Per section 552.234 of the Texas Government Code, the District has designated the email below to receive requests for public information by email: recordsrequests@fisd.org
Alternatively, you may submit by mail or in-person to:
Fredericksburg ISD Public Information Request
234 Friendship Lane
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Important information about Records Requests
Helpful Suggestions for Making a Public Information Request
These are a few tips to assist FISD in processing a request as accurately and efficiently as possible:
- Your request must be in writing; only written requests trigger obligations under the Act.
- Include your full name and contact information, including e-mail address (if available). It is helpful to clearly label your correspondence as a "Public Information Request".
- Be specific and clear in describing the nature and scope of the information you are seeking - We may ask a requestor to clarify a request for information if the request is unclear. If a large amount of information has been requested, Fredericksburg ISD may discuss with the requestor how the scope of the request might be narrowed.
- Include the following, if applicable:
- Date range of the records requested.
- Department or person you believe may possess the records.
- Location involved.
- Your request should be for information that is already in existence.
- Governmental bodies are not required to:
- Answer questions.
- Prepare or create new information.
- Perform general legal research.
- Comply with a continuing request to supply information on a periodic basis as such information is prepared in the future.
- All requests must be addressed to the FISD Public Information Office. Requests made by fax or electronic mail (e-mail) must be sent to the Public Information Department by E-mail: recordsrequests@fisd.org by fax: (830) 997-6164, or at the mailing address above in order to trigger an obligation under the Act.
- If you believe FISD has not responded as required by the Act, contact the FISD Public Information Office immediately.
- Please contact the Public Information Office by e-mail at recordsrequests@fisd.org, by phone at (830) 997-9551, or at the mailing address above with any requests, questions, or comments on access to records or information.
Charges and Fees
Pursuant to Section 552.275 of the Texas Government Code, please be advised that the District established a reasonable limit, not less than 15 hours for a one-month period or 36 hours in a 12-month period, on the amount of time that personnel is required to spend producing public information for inspection or copies to a requester, without recovering the costs attributable to the personnel time related to that requester. As authorized by law, a requester that reaches the time limit will be required to compensate the governmental body for the costs incurred in satisfying subsequent requests.
Fredericksburg ISD charges fees authorized by the Texas Public Information Act. If the fees will result in a charge exceeding $40.00, the district will provide the requestor with a written estimate detailing the charges that will be imposed. The following fees apply to Open Records requests:
- $15.00 per hour labor charge for locating, compiling, reproducing, reviewing, and redacting information (>50 pages)
- $28.50 per hour labor charge for computer programming when needed
- 20% overhead fee added to labor charges
- 10 cents per page for letter-sized paper copies
- 15 cents per page for legal-sized paper copies
- $1.00 per CD
- $3.00 per DVD
- Postage
Timing and Deadlines
Requested information will be provided promptly or as soon as possible under the circumstances, that is, within a reasonable time, without delay. The requestor will be informed if the information will not be provided within ten business days, as well as an estimated date on which the information will be provided.
Resources
Public Education Management System Standard Reports
Social Media Guidelines
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Fredericksburg ISD Social Media Terms of Use
Fredericksburg ISD maintains this social media account to distribute information about upcoming events, the achievements of students and staff, and other news pertaining to Fredericksburg ISD. Fredericksburg ISD social media accounts are designated/limited open public forums, subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions.
Purpose
Fredericksburg ISD maintains social media accounts to distribute information efficiently and effectively to staff, parents, students, and the Fredericksburg ISD community. The main objective is to share the many accomplishments of our students and staff. Additionally, breaking news and district updates may be published on social media accounts.
Notices
Citizens and members of the media should submit requests for information through established channels rather than post requests as comments on the District’s social media accounts. Requests for documents in comments will not be processed. Public Information requests pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act may be submitted by mail or by email to rachelm@fisd.org.
District students and staff members are encouraged to access FISD social media accounts outside of school hours and in accordance with District policies.
Comments
The administrators of the Fredericksburg ISD social media accounts reserve the right to hide comments, at any time, that violate District policies or do not adhere to the following guidelines.
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use as a condition to the individual’s use of this site. This policy may be updated at any time without prior notice. Comments are solely the opinions of the users who post them. The District takes no responsibility for misinformation included in user comments.
Staff and students posting to the FISD social media accounts must adhere to the District’s policies and guidelines on the appropriate standards of conduct applicable to FISD schools and school related activities.
Fredericksburg ISD may hide comments posted on FISD social media accounts if the comment meets one of the following conditions:
- Comments shall be limited to the topic of a specific posting made by the FISD page administrator. Comments that include topics not introduced by FISD page administrators are not open for discussion on this page and the comment will be hidden by the page administrators.
- Contain remarks that are racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise discriminatory based on a protected class as per Title VII, Title IX, other Federal or State Civil Rights laws, and Fredericksburg ISD Board policy.
- Comments that suggest or encourage violence or illegal activity are not allowed.
- Comments that contain confidential information about a student or employee.
- Comments that violate any Fredericksburg ISD Board policy.
- Comments that violate U.S. fair use or copyright laws.
- Comments that promote or advertise a service or product.
- Comments that contain links to other websites or contain photographs or links to photographs.
If you have questions or would like to report a comment for us to review, please send an email to: rachelm@fisd.org. Appeals for comments that have been hidden should be filed using the District’s grievance policies GF, FNG, or DGBA for community members, parents and students, and employees respectively.
Volunteering at FISD
Our Community
History of Education in Fredericksburg, TexasÂ
As many as 44 rural schools were in operation around Fredericksburg, the county seat of Gillespie County, in the early 20th century. German immigrants had poured into the area that became known as the Texas Hill Country in the mid to late 1800's, starting with the settlements of New Braunfels in 1845 and Fredericksburg in 1846.
These Germans brought with them a keen love of education. The first school in Fredericksburg was erected in the Marketplatz (Market Square) in the center of Main Street in 1847. This Vereins Kirche (Community Church), known as the Church of the Society of Nobles, was to serve as church, school, community meeting hall, and fort, if needed. Comanche Indians roamed the area. The Germans had reached the frontier of Texas before the United States Army.
As families moved onto land more distant from town, the earliest rural educational efforts normally involved hiring a teacher to educate the children in private homes. Eventually, land was donated by a family in the area, and a community school was built, taking names descriptive of nearby natural landmarks, such as Cave Creek, Crabapple, Pecan Creek, or Lower South Grape Creek. The German heritage of Gillespie County is evident in other names like Luckenbach, Meusebach Creek, Rheingold, and Nebgen.
Several of the 12 schools now listed on the National Register date from the 1870's and 1880's. The original Rheingold School is the oldest of the rural schools in Gillespie County.
Many of the Gillespie County rural schools offered courses in both in German and English. The end of the school year was celebrated with an all day affair called the Schulprüfung (school examination). The students demonstrated their knowledge in front of family and friends, followed by a picnic and dancing into the night. The original school closing curtain is still on display in four of the schools, with advertisements for early-day Gillespie County merchants. Three of the schools still have the original student desks and teacher's desk.
History of Fredericksburg, Texas
Fredericksburg history begins with the town’s founding. In 1846, John O. Meusebach created Fredericksburg, then called Friedrichsburg, as the second of a pair of settlements for those brought to Texas by the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas, also known as the Adelsverein.
The city was named for Prince Frederick of Prussia, who was the highest member of the Adelsverein. The townsite was situated perfectly in a well-timbered area between Barton and Town Creeks, which would provide the supplies for the settlement to get started. Those who came to the area largely were German immigrants from intellectual, liberal classes, but worship services remained an integral part of their lives.
The Vereins Kirche was the hub of the community, and this building served as the church, community center, and school.
Fredericksburg history Downtown Fredericksburg during the holidays
Today, Fredericksburg strives to remain connected to its German origins while making strides into the future. Its historic district gives visitors and new generations a peek into Fredericksburg history, so they can continue to keep the past alive. Tourism is still a large part of the economy, and fewer people speak German than ever, but this town remains a genuine piece of Texas history, that changes with the times, keeping relevant while preserving its past.
City of Fredericksburg, Texas: History
Texas State Historical Association: Fredericksburg, Texas
Wikipedia: History of Fredericksburg, Texas
Our Mascot
Alter Stotz "Billie Pride"
(FISD Mascot)
There is no delicate way to put this. Fredericksburg High School once had an image problem. Many people outside Gillespie County mistakenly thought the school's mascot was a Hillbilly, not a Battlin' Billie. It took a little PR work and a legendary billy goat named Alter Stolz to clear up the confusion.
In an article in the Fredericksburg Standard some years ago, long-time Fredericksburg head football coach and athletic director Carlin Wicker traced the origins of the FHS mascot controversy to an early 20th century athletic contest between Fredericksburg High School and Main Avenue High School in San Antonio (later Fox Tech). Although Fredericksburg lost a close game, a San Antonio sportswriter wrote "Those boys from up in the hills" battled Main Avenue "like a bunch of billy goats."
The Fredericksburg athletes, students and fans liked what the sportswriter had written and informally adopted the nickname "Hill Billies" (two words) meaning "Billie Goats of the Hills."
As it turned out a billy goat was the ideal mascot for Fredericksburg High School. Goats were very important to the economy of the Hill Country. The Goat King, Adolph Stieler, raised more goats on his ranch between Fredericksburg and Comfort than any rancher in the world.
The problem with the mascot was that the rest of the world didn't get it. Outsiders, through ignorance or otherwise, thought the FHS mascot was a "Hillbilly," (one word) - a person from a hilly or mountainous region that is out of touch with the modern world. San Antonio newspapers regularly called the Fredericksburg athletic teams the "Hillbillies."
The controversy raged for 30 years. FHS head football coach Ewell Sessom made some progress when he began referring to his athletic teams as the "Battlin' Billies," but outside Gillespie County the new name was slow catching on.
When Carlin Wicker arrived in Fredericksburg in 1963 there was still confusion over whether or not FHS was the "Battlin' Billies" or the Hillbillies. Then Alter Stolz made his historic debut as FHS mascot at a pep rally on October 21, 1966, prior to the Fredericksburg/Uvalde football game.
The story goes that Billie Booster Glenn Quinn came up with the idea of using a live goat as the team mascot. Quinn chose a magnificent angora with a spectacular set of horns from Benno Eckert's herd in Willow City. The animal was Benno's bell goat and family pet.
His name was Alter Stolz. It means "Old Pride."
That day at the pep rally, in front of a roaring crowd, Alter Stolz pranced in, nose in the air - looking like he wanted to butt something. He wore a flashy read and white blanket that read "Alter Stolz, FHS, Battlin' Billies." It was a pivotal moment in the history Fredericksburg High School athletics.
Well, Fredericksburg won the game against Uvalde that night and went on to win the district championship. Whether he deserved it or not Ol' Alter Stolz got a lion's share of the credit. "Billie Pride, Uber Alles" became the battle cry that carried the FHS Battlin' Billies to athletic glory.
Glenn Quinn and Sonny Bonn were the goat keepers, and they treated Alter Stolz like a king. His majesty got a royal shearing each year at the Pioneer Museum. Dr. Curtis Eckhardt gave him his yearly checkups. And Alter Stolz, never camera shy, always got a wash and a rinse before having his picture taken for the Mesa.
For several years Alter Stolz traveled with the football team, and he appeared at many special events. He became a part of the culture. He logged close to 7,000 travel miles in his illustrious career. The publicity he received cleared up the mascot question once and for all.
Alter Stolz died in 1973, but in a way he's still around. His mounted head is on display at Fredericksburg High School. The rest of him is buried on a hill overlooking the football stadium where people say his spirit, like a foggy apparition, is sometimes seen, hanging over the field, urging the Battlin' Billies on to victory.
Or maybe it's just smoke from the concession stand.
© Michael Barr
"Hindsights" December 18, 2020 Column
Sources:
"Alter Stolz, School Mascot, Died Last Week," Fredericksburg Standard, January 24, 1973
"FHS Campus Comet," Fredericksburg Standard, September 30, 1970.