Law shielding pupils from commercialism a blow to fundraisers Law shielding pupils from commercialism a blow to fundraisers Groups that support schools doubt they can raise the same amount of money without such promotions. Warwick's Norwood Elementary School holds a school assembly to rev up youngsters for a catalog sale that offers gift wrap and candles.
Pupils then take the promotional packets home.
The fundraisers are a way for cash-starved schools to raise discretionary money, and are widespread across the state. They bring Oliver Twist to the auditorium and new swingsets to the playground. In Rhode Island, these fundraisers are illegal. Public schools statewide have been unwittingly breaking a 1922 state law that prohibits schools from sending advertising or promotional materials home with students. And later this week, a legal counsel to Peter McWalters, the state's commissioner for elementary and secondary education, plans to tell superintendents that however altruistic, these money-making promotions must stop.