Charlie Final Presentation

Brief History of the Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was first written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist Minister and Socialist, for the patriotic family magazine The Youth's Companion . At that time it read "I Pledge Allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it

stands; on nation indivisible, with liberty and Justice for all.

"The Pledge officially became part of the US Flag Code in 1942. In 1954 the words "under God" were added to the Pledge by Congress with approval from President

Dwight Eisenhower.

A 2001 lawsuit, filed by Michael A. Newdow, contested the inclusion of the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, citing a violation of church-state

separation principles.

PRO under God

Some proponents argue that the United States was created from the Christian principles of the Founding Fathers and as such the Pledge should respect the

country's heritage.

Others say the US Constitution protects freedom of religion and not freedom from religion.

Many advocates of including "under God" in the Pledge point out that polls show at least 80% of Americans support it, that federal law already contains 22

references to "God," and that Presidents swear an oath of office ending with "so help me God."

Many others claim the incorporation of religious language is a reflection of the US civic culture and not a promotion of religion.

CON under God

Some opponents argue that church and state should be kept separate as the Founding Fathers intended.

Others say the phrase "under God" in the Pledge places "undue coercion" on young children, thus violating the Establishment Clause of the First

Amendment. They also declare that the US Constitution protects minority rights against majority will.

Many advocates of removing "under God" point out that the phrase was not written into the original pledge and that the opposition to returning to the

original pledge is proof that "under God" is a religious symbol and not merely a secular practice.

Jehovah’s Witness & the Pledge of AllegianceMinersville School District v. Gobitis (1940)

Two Jehovah's Witness school children, 10 (William) and 12 (Lillian) years old, were suspended from school in Minersville, Pennsylvania, because they refused to salute the American flag during mandatory morning exercises. As a result, their father had to pay for them to enroll in a private school.The parents alleged that their children's' due process rights had been violated by the school and sued.

In an 8-1 Court Decision with Justice Frankfurter writing the majority opinion, the Supreme Court found that the school district had a strong interest in creating national unity that was sufficient to permit them to compel students to salute the flag.

The Court also found that students would not be pulled away from their faith by partaking in the pledge because their parents have a much greater influence than the school in the development of their religious beliefs.

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943)West Virginia required both students and teachers to participate in saluting the flag during exercises at the beginning of each school day as part of a standard school curriculum.Failure on the part of anyone to comply meant expulsion - and in such a case the student was considered illegally absent until they were allowed back. A group of Jehovah's Witness families refused to salute the flag because it represented a graven image they could not acknowledge in their religion and so they filed suit to challenge the curriculum as a violation of their religious liberties. With Justice Jackson writing the majority opinion, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the school district violated the rights of students by forcing them to salute the American flag. This decision reversed the Court's judgement three years prior in Gobitis. This time, the Court recognized that it was a serious violation of individual liberty to force an individual to give a salute and thereby assert a belief contrary to one's religious faith. ﾊ Although the state might have a certain amount of interest in having some uniformity among students, this wasn't enough to justify forced compliance. Even minimal harm which might be created by lack of compliance was not judged as great enough to ignore the rights of the students to exercise their religious beliefs.

District CalendarsList Intercessions or Breaks

in Generic Terms such as Winter instead of Christmas.

School Calendars

Instead of Black History Month consider Multicultural or Diversity Month.

If you go with something such as Black History Month have other events addressing and

recognizing other cultures or races.

School Calendars cont.

If you are having seasonal or topical events schedule them after school hours

to allow students who are unable to attend to opt out.

School sponsored activities should focus on more than one religion or religious holiday

and calendars should represent this.

Holidays and Celebrations

Holidays with both religious and secular bases may be observed. Music, art, literature, and drama may be included in the curriculum if presented in a prudent

and objective manner and only as a part of the cultures and religious heritage of the holidays.

Religious symbols may be used only has a teaching aid and or resources only if they are displayed as a

part of the cultural and religious heritage of the holiday and are temporary in nature.

Pre/Post Game PrayersMandatory or public prayers over P.A. are not

allowed at sporting events.

Coach or staff led prayers are unconstitutional

Students may voluntarily participate in prayers on their own

No one can be forced participate in prayers at school events

Santa Fe v. DoeSupreme Court said student led prayer before a high

school football game violates establishment clause

School elected a student chaplain to perform prayer on PA at game

Students voted on whether to allow prayer and which student would deliver the prayer

Lee v. Weisman was used as a guideline

School Prayer Timeline

1962 Engel v. Vitale - staff led prayer at the beginning of the day is unconstitutional

1963 Abington Township SD v. Schempp -prohibits school officials from leading prayer

or bible readings in public schools

School Prayer Timeline cont.

1985 Wallace v. Jaffree Moment of silence not allowed

1992 Lee v. Weisman Layperson may not lead a prayer at graduation

2000 Santa Fe v. Doe Student led prayer over the PA system at football

games is unconstitutional

Main Issues Still Undecided

Moment of silence - many states have passed moment of silence laws

which claim a secular purpose

Upcoming Supreme Court appointments could have major impact on direction of the courts

United States Constitution can be accessed from the following websites:

http://www.law.emory.edu/index.php?id=3080

http://depts.alverno.edu/dgp/GEC/Overview%20of%20Constitution.html

Resources for Parents, Students and Teachers

Printable material that can be viewed:

http://www.freedomforum.org/publications/first/religioninpublicschools/

parentsguidereligion.pdf

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/PDF/teachersguide.PDF

General information regarding religion and public schools:

http://www.firstamendmentcenter .org/rel lib erty/publicschools/topic .aspx ?topic=school

prayer

Charlie Team Handbook Section

To our school board…We have been looking at ways that free speech and the separation of church and state have made an impact on the ways our schools

operate. We have looked at the Pledge of Allegiance, Holiday Celebrations and Assemblies, and Pre and Post Game Prayer and have some recommendations for the Rock Island District #41 policies and procedures student/ parent handbook.

The public school system should try to promote greater tolerance and understanding among students of different traditions and still follow the guidelines of the First

Amendment. The Rock Island School District #41 will follow specific guidelines to ensure that our schools celebrate the various holiday seasons that our families

recognize in a way favorable to all.

Teaching of Religious Holidays

The public school system may teach about various religions; however, may not observe specific

religious holidays. Students can gain understanding of and respect for different cultures and beliefs when

they are taught about them in the safe school setting. No one culture or religion should be

addressed, instead traditions of numerous cultures or religions should be explored.

Holiday Assemblies

Public assemblies are allowable, as long as they are “presented objectively as part of the educational program.” Religious

portions of a program are allowed as long as they are only a small portion of the assembly and do not “push or promote” a

certain religious viewpoint. In addition, school-sponsored activities should include more than one religion (religious

songs, etc) in the assembly. Students are allowed to opt out of any activity, which they may find offensive without any

adverse effect to them.

Decoration of School Property

Classrooms and public areas of schools may be decorated as long as the decorations do not endorse or favor one religion

or culture over another. Schools should represent and encourage understanding of the diversity of the seasons and various cultures and avoid using religious symbols that have

specific religious meanings. Teachers or schools may not show preference to any one religion or culture.

Prayer at Athletic Events

It is the Rock Island School District #41 policy to prevent mandatory public prayers led by any school staff member, parent, layperson, or student

present before, at, or after any extra curricular event. Staff members may not lead students in voluntary prayers before, at, or after a game either.

Students are allowed to pray at these events as long as the prayer is voluntary and not required as part of the event or to participate in the event. The school will not encourage or discourage prayer of any kind before, at, or after extracurricular events. School officials will monitor extracurricular events to ensure that these guidelines are followed and

that students are not and will not be discriminated against based on personal beliefs.

Pledge of Allegiance

At the Rock Island School District #41 students are offered the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag once during each school day. Participation in recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance will be voluntary. Students may refuse to participate in recitation of the Pledge

of Allegiance for any reason, including religious, political, philosophical, or personal reasons.

If a student chooses not to participate, he./she may stand or sit in silence.

Charlie Team

Kristin HolmbergJennifer Kuehn

Janet Lockhart-JohnsonAnna Lorenz

Karen Martinek-AngerJoe Mowen