6115

Policy

 

 

Instruction

 

Ceremonies and Observances

 

Religious Ceremonies

 

The Supreme Court of the United States in two significant decisions declared it illegal to hold formal, prescribed religious, exercises in the public schools. However, while the court's prohibitions are narrow, its permissions are broad. Accordingly, the following types of school activities are permitted as long as they do not take on the character of religious devotions:

 

1.  Writing or analyzing literature on religious subjects

 

2.  Playing, singing and presentation of music which is religious in its inspiration or origin

 

3.  Performance of drama which deals with religious history or which is religious in its content

4.  Production or exhibition of art work dealing with religious themes

 

5.  Recognition of significant religious holidays by declaring school vacations or by sponsoring activities which acknowledge the importance of these holidays in cultural life

 

6.  Comparative studies of religion

 

7.  Analyses of the Bible, and other religious books, as part of the study of literature

8.  Studies of the contribution made by religion to civilization Study of the Bible or other religious books for historic significance

 

10. Study of the Bible or other religious books for literary importance

 

11. Recitations or study of historical documents which contain references to God

 

12. Singing of official anthems which contain references to God

 

United States Flag and Special Days

Commemoration of special days and events shall be arranged.

 

Appropriate exercises may be held for the following:  Veterans' Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Flag Day, Memorial Day, and State Fire Day (the Friday before the Fire Recognition Day, which is the second Saturday in May).  An educational program on the United States Constitution shall be held on September 17 every year, or in the preceding or following week if September 17 falls on a weekend or a holiday.

 

The flags of the United States of America and the State of Nebraska shall be prominently displayed on the school grounds on each day such school is in session.  All flag displays shall be in accordance with the standards prescribed for the display of the flag of the United States of America. 

 

 

 

Ceremonies, Observances, and the Pledge of Allegiance

 

 

Each of the District’s schools shall establish a period of time during the school day, when a majority of the students are scheduled to be present, during which time students will be led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in the presence of the flag of the United States of America. Student participation in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance shall be voluntary. Students not participating in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance shall be permitted to silently stand or remain seated but shall be required to respect the rights of those students electing to participate.

 

Holidays and Special Events

Holidays and special events may be recognized in the schools within the mores of the culture so long as such recognition respects the rights and feelings of minorities and is consistent with law.

 

Songs and customs which have come to us from the various ethnic and racial segments of our population may be used so as to broaden the awareness of the students to the contributions which each such segment has made to the composite American culture.

 

No public funds may be used in any way to benefit sectarianism in the public schools. No books, papers or utterances of a sectarian character will be used except for instructional purposes.

 

 

 

Legal Reference:           79-707 Flags; United States; State of Nebraska; display.

                                    79-708 Flags and flagstaffs; provide; payment.

 

 

Adopted:  June 4, 1990

 

Revised: October 15th, 2012:

Legal Reference:Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-705; § 79-707 and 79-708;

NDE Rule 10

70 Federal Register 55507 (Constitution Day)