Public School Prayer and Easter Egg Hunt Conflicts Resolved

 

Louann from New Jersey contacted us after the Superintendent at her local public school district would not allow a flyer advertising an Easter egg hunt at her church to be distributed to elementary students. The district distributes a variety of flyers to students that advertise events in the community that may be of interest to them and had previously allowed flyers for events held at churches to be distributed to students.

 

Louann was going to discuss the issue with the Superintendent and we sent her a letter specific to her situation explaining that the First Amendment required the District to distribute flyers for the Easter egg hunt in the same manner as flyers for other community events. She discussed our letter with the Superintendent, and he approved the Easter egg hunt flyers for distribution the same day.  Louann was pleased with this outcome.

 

Ronald from Kentucky contacted us after his daughter and other middle school students were told that they couldnt pray with their classmates before and after classes and during lunch.

 

The situation arose after the mother of a student who attends the school was killed in a tragic accident. Many students gathered at school the next day between classes to pray for the family. Some teachers told the students to stop praying immediately.

 

At lunchtime, a large group of students gathered to pray again. Someone from the school called the police and officers arrived at the school to investigate. Some students who prayed between classes and during lunch were called to the Principals office and asked about their activities.

 

After many students and parents complained and the local news media began to investigate what had happened, the school decided to allow the students to pray.  Some teachers told students that they should not have been allowed to pray on campus.

 

In response, we sent a demand letter to the school explaining that preventing students from praying was a gross overreaction and a violation of the First Amendment. We cited Supreme Court cases and United States Department of Education guidelines that protect the right of students to pray and discuss religious topics on campus on the same terms that other students may discuss non-religious subjects. 

 

The school conducted a full review of everything that had happened. Based on comments that some teachers made to students about their activities, it was clear that some teachers did not know what students rights were regarding prayer during non-instructional time. The principal is going to instruct them about the First Amendment and students rights at an upcoming faculty meeting.

 

In addition, an assistant principal who saw a group of students gathered in the hallway told them to move along to their classes. She did not realize that some of the students were praying and some of them became upset because they thought she was telling them they were not allowed to pray at school.

 

Ronald is satisfied that the school has adequately addressed his concerns and was grateful for our assistance.