In this chapter on Religion, I learned about all of the issues that religion has created in the school setting. Keeping religion out of the classroom is what schools are expected to do. But, I learned that the dominate culture in my community (Christian) has many influences in the school. Holidays, birthdays, and being patriotic are all celebrated in the school. It wasn't until this school year that I taught a child with Jehovah's Witness parents. Working and communicating with the parents was necessary in creating a working and respectful relationship. I was unfamiliar with the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses, so I decided to explore the beliefs and legal issues that schools have faced. I learned a lot through this unit, and I feel that as an educator I am able to create a comfortable learning environment, while respecting the beliefs of my students.
My Project:
For my project, I created a powerpoint to share with school officials.
Jehovah's Witnesses and Public Education
Stakeholders
- School Board Members
- Principals
- Teachers
- Parents
- Community Members
}School districts around the nation are faced with challenges when it comes to public school and religion.
}School policies have been challenged by religious groups.
}Courts have in the middle of deciding what is appropriate and fair when it comes to religion and public education practices.
1st Amendment
}Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or
the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government
for a redress of grievances. Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances
(Legal Information Institution, 1992).
Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
}No citing of the Pledge of Allegiance
}No singing patriotic songs (i.e. This Land is Our Land)
}No celebrating birthdays or holidays
}Belief that no person or object should be saluted, because it takes away from knowing and loving God.
Similar Issues as Other Religions
}Other religions have similar issues with public schools procedures.
}Saying “The Pledge of Allegiance” is one issue that some religions can not participate in
}Singing religious based songs- Christmas conflict with the some religions as well
}Celebrating holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) conflicts with some religious beliefs as well.
}With a diverse population, schools are working with families to better fit the needs personally and academically
Strategies to Build Relationships
}Building
and maintaining relationships among stakeholders is necessary in establishing a
safe learning environment to accommodate for all.
◦Annual
or Monthly Newsletter
–Keep families and school connected
◦Parent
Volunteers in Classroom
–Allow parent input with song choices,
celebrate ideas, ect.
Legal Precedents regarding The Pledge of Allegiance
}1940-Minersville
School District v. Gobitis
◦Student
was expelled from school for not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
◦The
Court was in favor of the school.
}1943-West
Virgina State Board of Education v. Barnette
◦Student
was forced to salute and say Pledge.
◦Court
decision respected 1st Amendment in favor of JW student.
}2000-Holloman
v. Walker County Board of Education
◦Student
did not recite Pledge and held his fist up, saying that it violated his rights.
◦Court
ruled in favor of both parties, stating that student didn’t need to recite
Pledge, but he needed to voice his rights before acting it
How Other Districts Handled Issues
How Other Districts Handled Issues
}In
past, students were expelled for not participating in saying the Pledge or
singing patriotic songs
}Currently, schools have made accommodations for Jehovah’s Witness students such as:
}Currently, schools have made accommodations for Jehovah’s Witness students such as:
◦Exempt
from saying Pledge
◦Exempt
from singing patriotic songs
◦Exempt
from participating in holiday activities
School
Policies on Patriotic Exercises
West Fargo Public School District
}The
principal of each school and/or any teacher is allowed to provide a daily program for the voluntary pledge of allegiance.
Students may also receive instruction concerning
the words and music of the national
anthem so they are able to recite or sing the words
and recognize the music.
The
Board recognizes that the beliefs of some students and teachers prohibit their participation in these patriotic exercises. No person
shall be required to participate in
these exercises. All persons however are
expected to show respect for the participation
of others in the exercise.
Schools
may hold ceremonies and/or integrate information into the curriculum related to historically
significant and/or patriotic holidays such as Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Flag Day and Columbus Day.
State
Standards
}Standard
2: Students understand important historical events.
◦K.2.1
Identify symbols of the United States (e.g., the
flag, bald eagle, Statue of Liberty, patriotic songs, Pledge of Allegiance)
◦K.2.2
Identify United States holidays (e.g.,Independence Day,
Thanksgiving, Veterans’ Day,
Memorial Day, Presidents’ Day, Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day)
◦4.2.1
Identify the symbols (i.e., bird, flower, flag,
tree) that represent North Dakota
◦5.2.1
Explain the significance of America’s symbols
(e.g., Pledge of Allegiance, Statue
of Liberty, Liberty Bell, American flag, Star Spangled Banner)
}Standard
4: Students understand the
development, functions, and forms of various political institutions and the
role of the citizen in government and society.
◦3.4.1
Identify the roles, rights, and responsibilities of
a citizen in a community (e.g.,
obedience to laws, the right to vote, service to the common good)
◦4.4.1
Identify the roles, rights, and responsibilities of
a citizen in North Dakota (e.g.,
obedience to laws, the right to vote)
◦5.4.4
Explain why the United States government is
necessary (e.g., government helps secure people’s lives, liberty, and property through law and military
protection; groups can accomplish things collectively that individuals cannot)
Teaching
Curriculum while Respecting Parents’ Beliefs
}All
students are required to say the Pledge, unless parents sign a permission slip
opting out of this activity.
}Students
are given an alternative activity instead of participating in singing patriotic
songs.
}Teachers
should reevaluate how he or she celebrates birthdays and holidays-maybe opting
out of celebrating any of them.
Balancing
Curriculum and Religion
}Educate
students on all religions regarding The Pledge of Allegiance
}Study music from all religions and areas of world
}Avoid celebratory events in the classroom- do not tie any celebration to a holiday
}Communicate with parents regarding personal beliefs and practices in their homes
Action Plan }Call a meeting with school board members, principals, teachers, and parents
}Share the presentation regarding issues that Jehovah’s Witness families and other religions face in the public education
}Share teaching strategies to help create a comfortable and safe environment for all students
Resources
}Holloman v. Walker County Board of Education, 01-13864,- U.S. Court of Appeal 2004. Retrieved from http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/200113864.pdf
}Legal Information Institute. (1992). First Amendment: Overview. Cornell University Law School. Retrieved from http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/first_amendment
}Minersville School Dist. v. Gobitis, 310 US 586 -Supreme Court 1940. Retrieved from http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=3946249041792057132&hl=en&as_sdt=6,35&as_vis=1
}North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. (2007). Content and Achievement Standards: Social Studies. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/standard/content/sstudies/SS.pdf
}Religious Transcends (2011). Three common questions about Jehovah’s Witness students. Religious Transcends. Retrieved from http://religiontranscends.com/2011/11/3-common-questions-about-jehovah%E2%80%99s-witness-students/
}West Fargo Public School District (2013). Policies. Retrieved from http://www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us/district/policies/SchoolDistrict/ABB-B.%20Displays%20Including%20Religious%20Objects%20or%20Documents.pdf
}West Virgina Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 US 624 - Supreme Court 1943. Retrieved from http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=8030119134463419441&hl=en&as_sdt=6,35&as_vis=1
}Study music from all religions and areas of world
}Avoid celebratory events in the classroom- do not tie any celebration to a holiday
}Communicate with parents regarding personal beliefs and practices in their homes
Action Plan }Call a meeting with school board members, principals, teachers, and parents
}Share the presentation regarding issues that Jehovah’s Witness families and other religions face in the public education
}Share teaching strategies to help create a comfortable and safe environment for all students
Resources
}Holloman v. Walker County Board of Education, 01-13864,- U.S. Court of Appeal 2004. Retrieved from http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/200113864.pdf
}Legal Information Institute. (1992). First Amendment: Overview. Cornell University Law School. Retrieved from http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/first_amendment
}Minersville School Dist. v. Gobitis, 310 US 586 -Supreme Court 1940. Retrieved from http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=3946249041792057132&hl=en&as_sdt=6,35&as_vis=1
}North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. (2007). Content and Achievement Standards: Social Studies. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/standard/content/sstudies/SS.pdf
}Religious Transcends (2011). Three common questions about Jehovah’s Witness students. Religious Transcends. Retrieved from http://religiontranscends.com/2011/11/3-common-questions-about-jehovah%E2%80%99s-witness-students/
}West Fargo Public School District (2013). Policies. Retrieved from http://www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us/district/policies/SchoolDistrict/ABB-B.%20Displays%20Including%20Religious%20Objects%20or%20Documents.pdf
}West Virgina Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 US 624 - Supreme Court 1943. Retrieved from http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=8030119134463419441&hl=en&as_sdt=6,35&as_vis=1
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