4821

Ceremonies, Holiday Displays and Observances

Staff members, when acting as representatives of the District, are prohibited from soliciting or encouraging religious activity (such as prayer) or anti-religious activity, and from leading or participating in such activities with students. Students, faculty, and administration are reminded of the pluralism of religious beliefs and are urged to be conscious of and respect the sensitivities of others.

Teaching about Religion

The District has the responsibility to teach students about religion’s role as a vital force in the development of civilizations, as well as to foster respect for the diversity of individual religious beliefs. In addition, it is the duty of the District to ensure that every student fully understands the principle of religious freedom that is part of this country’s heritage. The District may not provide religious instruction, but may teach about religion.

Therefore, the District’s instructional programs will:

1. Focus on the role that religion has played in history and/or in the development of a society or culture; and

2. Educate students about the principle of religious liberty as one of the central elements of freedom and democracy.

Religious Holidays, Ceremonies and Observances

Activities related to the celebration of religious holidays (including, but not limited to, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Easter, Ramadan and Passover) present an excellent opportunity to teach students about religious and cultural traditions and beliefs, and foster respect and understanding among students. In addition, educational goals motivated by secular purposes may include religious aspects, and sometimes require the presentation of material with religious themes. Therefore, instruction and activities related to the observance of religious holidays is permitted as long as they are conducted in an unbiased and objective manner, focus on the origins and cultural and historical significance of the holiday, and the generally agreed upon meaning of the holiday observance. Such teaching may neither promote nor disparage religious belief, and must avoid the implication that the religious doctrines on which such holidays are based have the support, endorsement or disapproval of the District or school personnel.

In planning activities related to a religious holiday or theme, special effort should be made to ensure that the activity does not involve the practice of rituals and religion and students of all faiths can participate without feeling that they are betraying their own beliefs. Therefore,

1. School and class plays, including scenery, shall not be overtly religious and shall reflect various heritages, where appropriate;

2. Seasonal programs may include religious music; however, religious music shall not entirely dominate the selection of music and an effort shall be made to be balanced and inclusive.

3. Program notes and illustrations shall not be religious or sectarian;

4. Secular decorations may be used in classrooms and hallways; and

5. There shall be no mandated “grab bags.”

Students shall be given the option to be excused from participating in those parts of a school ceremony, observance or holiday event, which are inconsistent with their own or their parents’ religious beliefs.

Religious Symbols

Religious symbols are sacred to particular faiths and belong primarily in a place of worship or home. Historically, religious symbols have been an integral part of society and cultures, and use in the school must be in the classroom for temporary periods of time and only when appropriate for educational purposes. Religious symbols include, but are not limited to, Star of David, Creche, Cross, Buddha, Crucifix, Menorah with candles or lights.

Holiday religious symbols must be used primarily for educational purposes. Their meaning should be explained to students with sensitivity and respect for the feelings and beliefs of individuals. The use of religious objects or symbols in the classroom, on a temporary basis, as a teaching aid or resource, is to provide examples of cultural and religious heritage in conjunction with teaching about religions within the context of a short-term study in the curriculum.

Holiday religious symbols are sometimes cultural symbols that have no religious significance themselves but have been allowed to become associated with a particular religious belief in connection with holiday celebrations. Holiday cultural symbols may be used for decorative purposes in the schools and include but are not limited to Santa Claus, Menorah without candles or lights, Christmas trees, wreaths, Easter eggs, Kinara, Star and Crescent, candy canes and dreidels.

The display and use of holiday cultural symbols within the school buildings are permitted, at the discretion of the Principal, as long as such display is balanced and inclusive, illustrative of the world’s religious traditions and cultural heritages, temporary in nature, coinciding with the holiday season and does not impose a risk to the health and safety of students and staff. The Superintendent shall make final determinations about the appropriateness of individual holiday displays.