Classroom Instruction
Instruction shall be related to a learning objective and consistent with
the district's educational program. It shall be factual and objective,
neutral and non-devotional. In presenting materials which include religious
references, staff members shall be sensitive to the feelings and beliefs
of all students.
Instruction shall not attack religion or promote religion, nor attack
or promote the absence of religion. A student or staff member shall not
be required to declare a religious preference or make a statement of belief
or non-belief. Individual students may voluntarily express their beliefs
as part of an instructional assignment.
The three-part test of neutrality used by the U.S. Supreme Court to determine
the constitutionality of instructional practices impinging on religion shall
serve as a guide in planning instruction. Instructional activities must
have a secular purpose; the principal or primary effect of activities must
be one that neither advances or inhibits religion; and the activity must
not impose excessive entanglement with religion on the part of the school.
Musical, Artistic, Dramatic Presentations
Musical, artistic, and dramatic presentations may include selections
that are religious in nature. These selections must be related to the objectives
of the instructional program and used in conjunction with non-religious
works. A context for the selection must be provided which includes information
such as historical background or literary or artistic significance. The
presentation should serve a secular educational purpose and not be performed
or offered as a devotional message or indoctrination. A winter concert
program, for example, could include sacred musical selections if balanced
with other selections on a non-religious theme.
Classroom Displays
Displays in the classroom which include religious materials or symbols
must be related to a specific learning objective, and a context and purpose
for the materials used in the display must be established. Classroom displays
must be free of any suggestion of promotion or advocacy of a particular
doctrine, creed, or belief.
Exemption From Instruction
Students may be exempted from instructional activities which violate
their religious beliefs or non-beliefs, and may not be penalized in grading
or subjected to pressure for failure to participate. Parents or guardians
have the authority to decide when their children should be exempted from
participation. An alternate activity shall be provided for a reasonable
period of time at the local school for those students who choose not to
participate.
Students who are excused from class shall participate in some form of
supervised activity during that time. Those activities shall not necessarily
be related to instruction, but could include such activities as supervised
study in the library, peer tutoring, research, or assisting in the library,
and home study with parents. Students shall be provided an opportunity
to make up work missed in class.
School Assemblies
Religious services may not be held in school facilities during instructional
time. School assemblies may not include presentations which inhibit, advance,
promote, or disparage religion or the religious beliefs or non-beliefs of
members of the school community.
Commencement, Baccalaureate Exercises
Commencement exercises which are school-sponsored shall be free from
sectarian influence. A non-denominational invocation and/or benediction
may be honored in the spirit of accommodation.
Baccalaureate exercises may be organized and implemented by interested
parents, students, and community members. Participation by school staff
members and students in such exercises shall be voluntary, and no school
or district funds, or school instructional time may be used to plan or conduct
the services.
Religious Holidays
The recognition of religious holidays in public schools for objective
instructional purposes is permissible and appropriate. Holiday activities
in schools during regular school hours and at school-sponsored events shall
not be, or have the effect of being, a religious celebration.
Parents may choose to exempt their children from any school-sponsored
activity or program which may offend their religious beliefs.
Gift exchanges organized as a school-sponsored activity are prohibited.
Exercise and Protection of First Amendment Freedoms
Students may practice their religion i.e. wear religious symbols if they
do so in a manner which does not materially or substantially disrupt the
educational process.
The district shall not conduct or sponsor any form of devotional activity,
including oral or silent prayer.
Release Time for Religious Instruction
Students may be released from school for moral and religious instruction
and observances upon the request of their parents or guardians. Students
shall be given reasonable opportunity to make up missed work and may not
be pressured to choose between school attendance and religious instruction
or observances. Students shall be counted present if they attend at least
60 minutes of each morning or afternoon session of the school day.
Grievance Process
Students, parents, and community members who believe their rights under
these policies have not been protected may utilize two grievance procedures
which are part of existing board policy. Policies KLD and KLB explain the
procedures available for patrons of the district while policy JFH describes
the student grievance procedure.
Approved:
12/2/85
Revised:
3/31/86, 5/7/90