Promoting Scouting (and Other Organizations) at Sunset

5/18/2018 11:13 am

"Growing up there was a scouting day hosted at my school. There are HUNDREDS of dedicated Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who attend Sunset Elementary. These kids are all involved in community service and work hard to earn their badges and make the world a better place. I would love to help with or help to plan a scouting day at sunset where scouts get to wear their uniforms and are recognized. We could even sponsor a “make your school a better place” competition where Troops can perform a service project/fund raiser to benefit sunset elementary and middle schools and compete for awards (best idea, most profitable, most original idea, etc.). Scouting is good for any community and these kiddos need to be held up in the presence of their peers to encourage participation!" 5/8/2018

Thank you for your idea. Unfortunately, WCS district leadership has advised its schools and PTOs that we are not legally able to support or promote any non-WCS organizations, including scouting organizations*, All Pro Dads, local youth athletic leagues, etc., even though they benefit our children and families. For PTOs specifically, our charters state that we are organized exclusively for the benefit of the school and if we were to use our resources (including finances and communications) for non-WCS organizations, we risk losing our charter and our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Although many community organizations use WCS school facilities and many WCS families participate in their offerings, the organizations are not affiliated with WCS and cannot be promoted by WCS employees or PTOs. The use of WCS school facilities may be requested by any Williamson County community organization, but the use of the facilities is not an endorsement of the organization.

That being said, Sunset regularly benefits from the service and generosity of local Scouts and we are always happy to publicly offer our thanks! This year (2017-18), a Boy Scout built several shade structures over benches on the kindergarten playground as part of his Eagle Scout project. A Girl Scout Daisy troop purchased and donated several books to our Library as part of a community service project. A Girl Scout Brownie troop used the morning announcements and created posters for classrooms to teach their peers about clean water and water conservation as part of a Journey. Sunset Elementary and the PTO greatly appreciate these contributions.

Also, Scouting groups are welcome to organize "wear your uniform" days at any time. This is often done in the fall on the day of the meetings mentioned above. As long as the uniforms meet dress code requirements (no hats!), the school shouldn't have a problem with it!

* In 2016, the Tennessee General Assembly passed SB2098, which "requires the principal of a school to allow a patriotic society the opportunity to speak with students during school hours." Therefore, each fall, representatives from the Girls Scouts of Middle Tennessee and the Middle Tennessee Council of Boy Scouts work with Sunset Elementary's Principal to schedule a meeting with students during the school day when the representatives may provide information about their organization, encourage participation, and invite students and their parents to another meeting for more details.