Such teaching must foster knowledge about religion, not indoctrination into religion; it should be academic, not devotional or testimonial; it should promote awareness of religion, not sponsor its practice; it should inform students about diversity of religious views rather than impose one particular view; and it should promote understanding and respect rather than divisiveness.
ProceduresThe following procedures shall be applied to assist school administrators and teachers interpret and apply this policy.
Part 1: Curriculum
A. Religious instruction is the responsibility of the parents and religious institutions, but teaching about religion is a legitimate part of a complete education on the elementary and secondary levels.
B. Teaching about religion should always operate within the context of First Amendment rights and responsibilities. In order to ensure the activity is constitutional, its purpose and effort should be to educate about rather than promote a religion. The activity should also avoid excessive entanglement between school and religious organizations.
C. As a part of the curriculum, religious literature, music, drama, and the arts may be included, provided each is intrinsic to the learning experience in the various fields of study and presented objectively.
Part 2: Religious Holidays
A. Recognition of religious holidays should be for the purpose of providing secular instruction about religious traditions rather than promoting the particular religion involved. The study of religious holidays may be included as elementary and secondary curriculaas opportunities for teaching about religions. Such study serves the academic goals of educating students about history and cultures as well as about the traditions of particular religions in a pluralistic society.
B. Recognition of and information about holidays may focus on how and when they are celebrated, their origins, histories and generally agreed-upon meanings. Teachers may not use the study of religious holidays as an opportunity to proselytize or to inject personal religious beliefs into the discussion.
C. Provided they are used as examples of cultural or religious heritage, religious symbols are permissible to use as teaching aids or resources. Religious symbols may be displayed on a temporary basis as part of the academic program. Students may choose to create artwork with religious symbols, but teachers should not assign or suggest such creations.
D. Sacred music may be sung or played as part of the academic study of music. School concerts that present a variety of selections may include religious music. Concerts dominated by religious music, especially when they coincide with a particular religious holiday, should be avoided. The use of art, drama or literature with religious themes is also permissible if it serves a sound educational goal in the curriculum, but not if used as a vehicle for promoting religious belief.
Bylaws and Policies - Page 160 of 728
Part 3: Scheduling
A. School scheduling should reasonably accommodate the secular effects of religious observances in the community. The yearly school calendar should minimize conflicts with the religious holidays of all faiths.
B. The District calendar may recognize special religious observance days when there are bona fide secular reasons for recognizing such days. Special days beyond those specified on the calendar may be accommodated as reasonably as possible, with students being asked to make up assignments or examinations without loss of status or penalty.
C. Recognizing the importance of religious liberty and freedom of conscience, students may be excused, where it is feasible, from activities that are contrary to religious beliefs. Students are responsible for notifying school officials in advance and arranging for make-up work. Student and/or staff members wishing to be excused from activities that are contrary to their religious beliefs may make that request of the appropriate teacher or supervisor, within a reasonable time period to allow accommodations to be made.
U.S. Consti. Amend. 1
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