Decisions of the United States Supreme Court have made it clear that it is not the province of a public school to advance or inhibit religious beliefs or practices. Under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Articles 1,4, and 8 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan, this remains the inviolate province of the individual students and their parents/guardians. Official sponsorship or endorsement of religious activities by the school implicates the above Constitutional rights and is accordingly prohibited. No matter how well intended, sponsorship of religiously-oriented activities by the school are offensive to some and tend to supplant activities which should be the exclusive province of individual religious groups, churches, private organizations, or the family.

District staff members shall not use prayer, religious readings, or religious symbols as a devotional exercise or in an act of worship or celebration.

Observance of religious holidays through devotional exercises or acts of worship is also prohibited. Acknowledgement of, explanation of, and teaching about religious holidays of various religions is encouraged. Celebration activities involving nonreligious decorations and use of secular works are permitted, but it is the responsibility of all faculty members to ensure that such activities are strictly voluntary, do not place an atmosphere of social compulsion or ostracism on minority groups or individuals, and do not interfere with the regular school program.

The District shall not itself function as a disseminating or distribution agent for any person or entity for any religious or anti-religious document, book, or article. Distribution of such materials on District property by any person or entity Policy and Administrative Guidelines 7510 - Use of District Facilities and 9700 - Relations with Special Interest Groups. This policy shall not be applied to prevent or prohibit compliance with Administrative Guidelines 2270 - Religion in the Curriculum.

The District recognizes that one of its educational goals is to advance the student's knowledge and appreciation of the role that our religious heritage has played in the social, cultural, and historical development of civilizations. Formal observance of religious holidays through school sponsored or school directed devotional exercises or acts of worship is prohibited.

Acknowledgment of, explanation of, and teaching about religious holidays of various religions must occur for a curricular purpose and must be presented neutrally and objectively as part of a secular program of education. Celebration activities including observances of holidays with secular significance are permitted, but it is the responsibility of all faculty members to ensure that such activities are strictly voluntary, do not place an atmosphere of social compulsion or ostracism on students and do not interfere with the regular school program.

Music, art, literature and drama having religious themes are permitted as part of the District's curriculum for school-sponsored programs and activities if presented in a neutral and objective manner and as a traditional part of the cultural and religious heritage of the particular holiday, without sectarian indoctrination. The curricular focus shall not be confined to a particular religion and religiously themed material shall not be the sole or dominant theme in any performance, program, or other curricular function. Emphasis shall be placed upon the cultural, geographical, and historical aspects.

Students shall be excused from school attendance for observation or celebration of a bona fide religious holiday (Policy 5200).

Subject to applicable State laws, upon written request of the parent or guardian, the principal may release students from attendance at the school to attend religious instructional classes off premises not to exceed two (2) hours per week. Schools may not encourage or discourage participation or penalize those who do not attend. Schools may not allow religious instruction by outsiders on school premises during the school day.

The District itself shall not conduct, endorse, or sponsor, a baccalaureate service in conjunction with graduation ceremonies. This shall not prohibit use of District facilities by outside entities or groups pursuant to Policy 7510. The Board shall not include religious invocations, benedictions, or formal prayer at any school-sponsored event.

The flag of the United States shall be raised above each school and/or at other appropriate places during all school sessions, weather permitting.

Professional staff members are authorized to lead students in the Pledge of Allegiance at an appropriate time each school day. However, no student shall be compelled to participate in the reciting of the Pledge or singing of the National Anthem.

The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines which ensure that any staff member who conducts this activity does it at an appropriate time, in an appropriate manner, and with due regard to the need to protect the rights and the privacy of a nonparticipating student.

M.C.L.A. 380.1347, 380.1565
20 U.S.C. 4071 et seq.
Gregoire vs. Centennial School District 907 F2d 1366, (3rd Circuit, 1990)
Lee vs. Weisman, 112 S. Ct 2649, 120 L. Ed. 2d 467 (1992)

Revised 3/98
Revised 9/99
Revised 8/03