PRAYER
SEE YOU AT THE POLE & CAMPUS CLUBS
What an educator can do:
- You must remain neutral in regards to religion in school. You can encourage students in developing their leadership skills. You are not the leader; you are their cheerleader.
- Attend See You At The Pole, support by your attendance, but not be a part of the prayer circle.
- Be supportive to those students who are planning & leading the event.
- Show up early to show you support to students who are attending.
- You can provide a safe place for all students.
- Pray for your students by name.
- When you see a need, fill a need in a student’s life.
- You can offer your room as a location for a campus club, especially when a student asks.
- Implement Biblical principles in your classroom without a Scripture reference.
- Speak words of life to students.
- Live by the Golden Rule.
What an educator can NOT do:
- Lead SYATP
- Take over the planning of SYATP
- Neglect your workday hours to attend SYATP
Rule of Law:
The First Amendment Establishment Clause:
Remaining neutral toward religion is the central demand of this Clause.
Examples:
Prayer that is led, encouraged or facilitated by school personnel is constitutionally prohibited. (Chandler vs. Siegelman, 2000) American Center for Law and Justice.
Use a disclaimer: Put the world on notice that the student’s expression is just that—the
expression of a student—and not an announcement of the official view of the school or it’s administration.
Err on the side of Freedom: Counsel against unnecessary intrusion upon student speech.
Thoughts from “Inside the School House Gates.” The Rutherford Institute, Fall 2005 and The American Center for Law and Justice.
Equal Access Act of 1984
If your school is a public, federally funded secondary school, it is covered by the Equal Access Act if school officials maintain a “limited open forum” (allowing one or more non-curriculum related groups to meet on the school premises during non-instructional time). If so, this makes allowance for a Christian Club to meet on campus during non-instructional time.
An Educator’s Freedom of Speech
As a general principle, teachers retain their First Amendment rights in public schools. The United
States Supreme Court has held that "teachers [do not] shed their constitutional rights . . . at the
school house gate." Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District, 393 U.S. 503, 506 (1969).
The Establishment Clause:
Prohibits a state entity like a public school from endorsing religion or coercing students to participate in religion.
Lee v. Weisman, 505 U.S. 577 (1992).
Teacher’s Information Letter. American Center for Law and Justice.
The First Amendment Establishment Clause:
Remaining neutral toward religion is the central demand of this Clause.
Examples:
Prayer that is led, encouraged or facilitated by school personnel is constitutionally prohibited. (Chandler vs. Siegelman, 2000) American Center for Law and Justice.
Use a disclaimer: Put the world on notice that the student’s expression is just that—the
expression of a student—and not an announcement of the official view of the school or it’s administration.
Err on the side of Freedom: Counsel against unnecessary intrusion upon student speech.
Thoughts from “Inside the School House Gates.” The Rutherford Institute, Fall 2005 and The American Center for Law and Justice.
Equal Access Act of 1984
If your school is a public, federally funded secondary school, it is covered by the Equal Access Act if school officials maintain a “limited open forum” (allowing one or more non-curriculum related groups to meet on the school premises during non-instructional time). If so, this makes allowance for a Christian Club to meet on campus during non-instructional time.
An Educator’s Freedom of Speech
As a general principle, teachers retain their First Amendment rights in public schools. The United
States Supreme Court has held that "teachers [do not] shed their constitutional rights . . . at the
school house gate." Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District, 393 U.S. 503, 506 (1969).
The Establishment Clause:
Prohibits a state entity like a public school from endorsing religion or coercing students to participate in religion.
Lee v. Weisman, 505 U.S. 577 (1992).
Teacher’s Information Letter. American Center for Law and Justice.