School distribution of church-related activities

[rlrose328]

Hi guys...

Yesterday my son brought home a flyer from a local church (Lutheran which has its own school) advertising a summer school program.  It is by the week and they will be going to the zoo, the local science museum, etc. each week.  The final week of the 6 week program is vacation bible school.

The very first sentence talks about the glory of god and learning more about his creation.

I'm in Oregon and I'm searching for any legal issues regarding this type of distribution in the school.  Brendan said it was in his "mailbox" (their cubby in which the teacher puts homework, tests, etc. to come home).  I do not know who put these there and neither does Brendan.  He said sometimes other people come into the classroom to put things in the cubbies (usually someone from the office or the teacher's assistant).

Can you help me find any reference to whether this is allowed?  I've been searching all morning and can't find any specific reference.  The reason I'm looking isn't so much because it was distributed, but last year the Fun Run team was soliciting ads for the t-shirts (you may remember me talking about that here) and they turned down our donation because we wanted to put "atheismquotes.com" and the reason was that it was related to religion and it would offend those who believe.  Well, getting a flyer from a local church through my son's school offends ME.  They can't have it both ways... no atheism but yes, we can push out GOD to the kids.   :-)

[PipeBox]

It probably isn't illegal unless the teachers aren't allowed to solicit.  But knowing how schools are, I'm betting this isn't the case.  It isn't a case of the school sponsoring this sort of thing, but the teacher distributing material.  The fact that she can utilize her position to do it probably doesn't count for much.  If you were a teacher, you'd be free to distribute Mark Twain quotes, for example.  Or atheistic flyers.  But the parents probably wouldn't be cool with that and raise hell until the principal told you to stop.  And then it's pretty much over, because he's your boss and it isn't a right to distribute flyers on school grounds.

You know how it is.

[rlrose328]

But I wouldn't distribute atheistic flyers if I were a teacher.  I KNOW that not all people are atheists and that it would be out of line to do so.  

I don't think it was the teacher in this case... I've spoken to her about belief/non-belief and she's the quiet Christian type.  Has her faith and that's enough.  She's very conscientious about not doing anything to offend religions because she knows she has Christians, at least 1 atheist, 2 Jewish kids, and 1 from a pagan family.  It's the most diverse class in the school.  LOL!  She's very sensitive to that.  (And one of the jewish families has 2 moms... doesn't get better than that!)

I'm pretty sure it was a parent who brought it in or the Lutheran church/school brought it over for distribution.  If it comes from the school, it implies school sponsorship or endorsement.

[Whitney]

Wouldn't this fall under the same laws which make it illegal for a teacher to pray or teach about their religion in the classroom?  The flyer was obviously intended to evangelize rather than just advertise a summer school program which happened to be run by Christians.

Do you happen to have them denying your ad in writing?  That would be great if you did.

[rlrose328]

Wouldn't this fall under the same laws which make it illegal for a teacher to pray or teach about their religion in the classroom?  The flyer was obviously intended to evangelize rather than just advertise a summer school program which happened to be run by Christians.

Do you happen to have them denying your ad in writing?  That would be great if you did.

I would think the same laws apply here, yes... I just can't find it anywhere to have the exact code or whatever number to mention when I talk to the principal.

And no, the denial wasn't in writing.  They probably didn't want to put it in writing.  I was okay with it mostly, at the time, because I knew putting it on the shirts would probably outcast my son, so I was seriously leaning toward NOT putting it in.  But now, I'm a little peeved about this current flyer.

[DIY 1138]

Deleted by poster

[PipeBox]

But I wouldn't distribute atheistic flyers if I were a teacher.  I KNOW that not all people are atheists and that it would be out of line to do so.  

I'm pretty sure it was a parent who brought it in or the Lutheran church/school brought it over for distribution.  If it comes from the school, it implies school sponsorship or endorsement.

Yes.  Maybe something can be done.   I honestly don't know and don't have anything helpful to offer for this situation.  Best of luck getting it sorted!

[rlrose328]

UPDATE:

After finding this website (First Amendment Center) which SEEMED to have the answer, I decided to just contact the School District and ask for sure if it is allowed.  NOT to make a complaint (though I'm sure that's what it appeared to be), but to find out if I'm in the right to ask that they not send home religious materials.  

She told me that there are no circumstances in which they should send home ANY type of flyer, pamphlet, etc. for a church, be it a weekly service or summer school program.  That type of thing can be posted on a school-wide parent bulletin board or mentioned in the newsletter that flyers are available, but they are not to be distributed, which I'm TOTALLY fine with.  

I also mentioned to her that the HUUUUGE cross is still hanging in the lunch room.  She said she thought that was taken care of LAST school year.  Ooops.  What's so funny about it is that last year, the local newspaper did a story about our little growing school and had several pictures, one of which was taken in the lunch room... from the wall across from the cross.  The principal had calls from the school district before the school day even started.  The gal at the school district said they refer to that picture as the "XXXX Charter School is brought to you by the lower letter T" photo.  LOL!

She said she would contact the principal and address these issues and would stay on top of the cross issue.  I've ALWAYS said I don't care about the cross really... it's huge, it's mounted very high and you have to look up to see it, and it's permanently mounted (not on pullies or something to bring down for maintenance).  The school IS in a church and they DO use the sanctuary for activities (music class and assemblies), so some things just HAVE to be overlooked.  They DO cover all the regular Sunday school and church bulletin boards with white plastic during the week which is good.  But they ARE a public school.

I hope I'm not single-handedly responsible for the school closing because the pastor is ADAMANT that the cross does NOT come down.

What a pickle.  

[VanReal]

This is tricky, if it was from an employee there is probably a policy prohibiting it.  At my district we are reminded annually and have to sign an acknowledgment of not distributing personal, religious, or political material to the students or other employees.  Check you district's acceptable use and or distribution policy if it was an employee, you should be able to get the information from their communications department.

If it wasn't an employee you are going to be pretty much out of luck.  We have a group of "praying parents" that distribute gifts (usually CDs or religious calendars/planners) every christmas to every employee and they bring in lunch to our building and to all of the school twice a year with little cards on the lunch with scripture written on it.  It is considered acceptable because this organization, The Praying Parents, are a non-profit that financially supports the schools....I've complained about it on here, basically to vent, because it's going to continue long after I'm gone, heck they even say a prayer before our board meetings.  Gotta love Texas.

I also got the brush off when a substitute preached to my son in class one day for an entire period.  We complained, talked to administration, and although she hasn't been in any of his classes again I am sure she is still subbing away.

The separation of church and school doesn't really exist, it's just quieted.