Re: Opinion requested

["Peter G. Mohn" <pmohn@eskimo.com>]

When the Supreme Court ruled against "organized" prayer in public
schools in the
1960s the ruling also supported an individual's right to pray in school.
Schools have to remain neutral when it comes to prayer, but individual students
may pray on their own or in small groups, as long as they don't force other
students to pray with them.

Since this family is asking for a private place to pray it should be
legally ok
for the school to accommodate him without showing favoritism toward one
denomination over all others.

Peter G. Mohn, LMS
Snohomish Freshman Campus
Snohomish, WA
pmohn@eskimo.com

Samiandindysmom@AOL.COM wrote:

>     Hi all. My Principal came in today and was asking me about my schedule
> from 11:45-12:00 each day. Here's the reason: Apparently we had a Mom come in
> and ask that her child be allowed to use a secluded place to pray every day
> during that time period. I have 2 semi-secluded areas of the IMC that will be
> used as "back-up areas" in the event that the first choice, an unused
> classroom, isn't available. This would only be if the NTA can't unlock the
> door for some reason.  I realize this requires nothing from me except to be
> here so there's adult supervision, but I'm wondering if this type of
> accommodation in a public school setting isn't crossing the line separating
> Church and State. I do realize that this was my Principal's decision, but
> she's new- it makes me feel a tad uneasy. I might be inclined to tell the
> parent that this is a public school and that we are not permitted to make
> that accomodation- and that if this was what she really wanted then perhaps a
> different school setting would be more appropriate.  Don't get me wrong, I
> have no problem with the family being religious, and also no problem with the
> child praying. I do have a problem with the staff being required to provide
> such special accomodations for prayer in this setting.  I am one that tries
> to keep holidays neutral with the understanding that not all of the students
> celebrate things like Halloween and Christmas, but does this cross the line?
>
> ****************************************************************
> Elissa Williams- Library
> School District of Phila.
> Samiandindysmom@aol.com
>       Used to be EWStahl@aol.com but switched to a less Spammed name.
> ****************************************************************
>
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