Brand Guidelines & Logo Usage
The Wissahickon School District is proud of its brand, developed in 2016 with the input of district staff, students and community members, and the design expertise of VIP Branding Powered by Varsity Brands.
Our brand is much more than a logo. It is a visual representation of everything the school district believes in, stands for, and promises to our stakeholders. Our brand was designed to reflect our all-around standard of excellence in academics, athletics and all other officially affiliated district programs. It also serves to reinforce the core essence of our school pride, accomplishment and spirit.
District Logo and Trademark Use
The Wissahickon School District logo is a valuable trademark and intellectual property that represents the District’s identity, programs, and public trust. These guidelines establish standards for its appropriate and consistent use by staff, students, affiliates, and external parties to ensure alignment with the District’s mission, values, and legal obligations. To protect the logo’s integrity and the District’s reputation, the Wissahickon Board of School Directors regulates its use and delegates to the Superintendent or designee the authority to approve, deny, or revoke permission in accordance with these guidelines and applicable laws.
INTERNAL: The district’s approved logos are available for use by district staff, students and officially affiliated district organizations (school clubs, teams and Home and School Associations). Please call 215-619-8022 or email communications@wsdweb.org for assistance with using our approved logos.
EXTERNAL: Use of our logos by external community members or groups not directly affiliated with the district must be approved by the WSD Community Relations Department. For more information, please call 215-619-8022 or email communications@wsdweb.org.
1. Purpose
The Wissahickon School District logo is a valuable intellectual property asset and a trademark representing the District’s identity, programs, and public trust. The purpose of these guidelines is to establish clear guidelines for the appropriate and consistent use of the District’s logo by staff, students, affiliates, and external parties, and to ensure its use aligns with the District’s mission, values, and legal obligations.
2. Authority
The Wissahickon Board of School Directors recognizes its responsibility to protect the integrity and reputation of the District by regulating the use of its logo. The Board delegates to the Superintendent or designee the authority to approve, deny, or revoke permission for use of the District logo in accordance with these guidelines and applicable laws.
3. Definitions
District Logo: The official graphic symbol, emblem, or seal adopted by the Wissahickon School District that identifies and represents the District.
Trademark: A symbol, word, or mark legally registered or established by use as representing the District. The District logo is a trademark protected under state and federal law.
4. District Logos And Trademarks
District Logos and Trademarks include:
- WSD District Seal
- Primary Mark (Mascot/Wissahickon Wordmark)
- Mascot (Trojan)
- Initial (W) and Wissahickon Wordmark
- District Shield
5. General Guidelines
Use of the District logo must:
i. Be consistent with the District’s brand standards, available from the Communications Department.
ii. Preserve the original appearance of the logo, including shape, color, typography, and proportions.
iii. Not imply endorsement or sponsorship by the District unless explicitly authorized.
iv. Include attribution where applicable:
“Wissahickon logo is a trademark of the Wissahickon School District. Used with permission.”
Unauthorized use, alteration, or reproduction of the logo is prohibited and may result in legal action.
6. Permitted Use
i. District Use
District employees, schools, and departments are authorized to use the logo for official communications, presentations, publications, and District-sponsored events.
ii. Student Activities and Extracurricular Groups
Student organizations may use the logo with the approval of the building principal. Use for merchandise or fundraising requires prior written approval from the Communications Department.
iii. Booster Clubs and Parent Organizations
Booster clubs and parent-teacher organizations may request to use the logo to support District-related activities. All merchandise, advertising, and promotional materials must be submitted to the Communications Department for approval.
iv. Alumni Groups
Alumni organizations may request use of the logo for class reunions, events, or communications. Requests must demonstrate a purpose consistent with the values of the District. All requests must be submitted to the Communications Department for written approval.
v. Wissahickon Education Foundation
The Education Foundation may use the logo for promotional and fundraising activities supporting the District, with coordination and approval from the Communications Department.
vi. Political Candidates and Political Parties
Use of the logo by candidates for public office or political parties is permitted only:
- For informational or biographical purposes.
- When clearly nonpartisan and non-endorsement in nature.
- When equal access is granted to all qualified candidates.
All requests must be submitted to the Communications Department for written approval.
vii. External Organizations and the Public
Requests by third parties, including businesses, media outlets, and nonprofit organizations, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Commercial use is prohibited unless authorized by a formal agreement approved by the Superintendent or designee. All requests should be submitted to the Communications Department, who will review the request with the Business Office.
7. Prohibited Use
The District logo may not be used:
i. In a manner that suggests endorsement or affiliation with a political party, candidate, religious group, or commercial product.
ii. In connection with defamatory, obscene, discriminatory, or inappropriate content.
iii. For personal or commercial gain without a licensing agreement.
iv. In altered forms, including unauthorized modifications to color, layout, or structure.
8. Procedures for Requesting Use
Requests for logo use must be submitted in writing to the Communications Department. Requests should include:
i. Intended purpose and context of use.
ii. Target audience and distribution method.
iii. Sample or mockup of the intended use.
iv. Dates of use.
The District will respond to requests within ten (10) business days. Approval may be revoked at any time if the use violates these guidelines.
9. Enforcement
Violations of these guidelines may result in:
i. Revocation of logo usage rights.
ii. A cease-and-desist order.
iii. Loss of affiliation or partnership privileges.
iv. Legal action for trademark infringement or damages.
Legal References:
- 15 U.S.C. §§ 1051 et seq. (Lanham Act)
- 24 P.S. § 5-510
- Pennsylvania Trademark Act