Highline Public Schools serves families of many cultures and religions. It is important to honor all traditions, while staying within legal boundaries and district policies regarding religion in public schools. Public schools are required to treat religion with neutrality. Neutrality means protecting the religious liberty rights of all students while simultaneously rejecting school endorsement or promotion of religion. In 1995, 24 major religious and educational organizations defined religious liberty in public schools this way:

Public schools may not inculcate nor inhibit religion. They must be places where religion and religious conviction are treated with fairness and respect. Public schools uphold the

First Amendment when they protect the religious liberty rights of students of all faiths or none. Schools demonstrate fairness when they ensure that the curriculum includes study about religion as an important part of a complete education. (Finding Common Ground:

A First Amendment Guide to Religion in Public Schools, Charles C. Haynes and Oliver Thomas, First Amendment Center, 2007.)

Schools are required to be neutral with regard to religion; schools must neither promote nor inhibit religion. Schools demonstrate neutrality by protecting the religious liberty rights of all students while simultaneously rejecting school endorsement or promotion of religion.

A. A holiday may have both religious and non-religious cultural significance. When planning activities as part of a holiday theme, staff should take care to focus on the historical and secular aspects of the holiday rather than its devotional meanings. Holiday activities, including instruction, parties, and decorations, must not have the purpose or effect of promoting or inhibiting religion.

Balance is essential to providing a school environment that does not appear to promote any religion(s) over others. Therefore, staff is encouraged to recognize a variety of cultural and holiday celebrations, such as Black History Month, United Nations Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, Chinese New Year, and others. The school district calendar is a useful reference for relevant dates.

B. Holiday displays must have a secular purpose and must not give the impression that the school or district is affiliated with any particular religion. Primarily secular symbols such as evergreen trees and Santa Claus are acceptable; however, staff is encouraged to keep these symbols to a minimum and to display them for a limited period of time. Further, staff is encouraged balance such displays with symbols commemorating other traditions of the season, such as Hanukkah and Kwanza.

Symbols of primarily religious significance including the cross, crucifix, religious icons,

Star of David, and creche are not acceptable for a holiday display but are permissible as a teaching aid or resource, provided they are used only as examples of cultural or religious heritage. Religious symbols may be displayed only on a temporary basis as part of the academic lesson being studied. (Florey v. Sioux Falls School District)

C. Students and staff shall have the right to wear religious symbols (e.g. Star of David or cross jewelry) in a manner that is not disruptive to the educational process.

D. Schools are encouraged to minimize the amount of instructional time used for parties. (A general guideline is two events per year, about one hour per event.) Seasonal celebrations are permitted with the understanding that public schools may not sponsor religious devotions, practice, or celebration. Activities must be non-devotional and focus on the secular, rather than religious, aspects of the holiday.

E. Classroom and school activities with a holiday theme are permissible provided students are not asked nor required to make religious symbols. There shall be an alternative assignment or activity for students who do not wish to participate for religious reasons.

However, situations that require students to opt out of classroom or school-wide activities shall be minimized. Certain holidays considered by many people to be secular, such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day, are viewed by others as having religious overtones. Alternative activities should be provided for families who hold such beliefs.

F. All holiday activities shall serve an educational purpose for all students and shall not cause students to feel excluded or forced to identify with a religion they do not practice.

G. Special music and drama programs should have a legitimate educational purpose. Programs specifically relating to holidays should not have the effect of being a religious celebration. School concerts may include religious music; however, there should be selections from a variety of religions. Concerts should not be dominated by religious music, especially when they coincide with a particular religious holiday. Sensitivity to students of all religions shall be exercised when choosing music for students to play or sing.

H. The use of art, drama, music, or literature with religious themes is permissible if it serves a sound educational goal in the curriculum. The material should be included on the basis of its academic or aesthetic value, and not as a vehicle for promoting religious beliefs. For example, sacred music may be sung or played as part of the academic study of music. However, selections should be balanced among various religions and with non-religious material.

I. Individual students may use an instructional project including a writing or an art assignment to voluntarily express their religious beliefs or a religious tradition.

J. Religious services including prayers will not be held in school facilities as a part of the instructional program or in connection with any school sponsored or school related activity.

K. Parents have the right to determine when their children should be absent from school because of religious observances. Students shall be provided the opportunity to make up missed assignments while so absent. Notification of such absences should be provided school authorities at least three days in advance by the parent and/or guardian in order to qualify as "excused absences" under the district's attendance policy. (See Policy 3122)

L. When scheduling important school activities, including testing, staff will consider religious holidays which parents in the community consider significant in an attempt to avoid conflicts.

M. Students who choose not to participate in school activities which are offensive to their beliefs, shall not be penalized or subjected to pressure to choose between participation in such activities and their religious belief.

N. Students, relatives and community members have the prerogative to plan and organize baccalaureate exercises which are religious in nature. The district encourages those interested to conduct such graduation celebrations of a religious nature in their local churches and not identify them as a baccalaureate service in the name of a particular high school. In addition:

1. No school district funds will be used for baccalaureate;

2. Meetings for the purpose of planning or preparation for baccalaureate will not involve school   staff or students during regular school hours. Private conversations are not similarly restricted;

3. Student/staff participation in baccalaureate shall be voluntary;

4. Information regarding baccalaureate may be disseminated on school bulletin boards available for non-school related public announcements.

O. When planning instruction or activities that involve religious content, school personnel should consider the following questions:

1. Do I have a distinct educational purpose in mind? If so, what is it? It should not be the purpose of public schools to celebrate or observe religious holidays.

a. How does this activity serve the educational mission of the school or the academic goals of the course?

b. Are we prepared to teach about the religious meaning of this holiday in a way that enriches students’ understanding of history and cultures?

2. If I use holidays as an opportunity to teach about religion, am I balanced and fair in my approach? If I teach about Christmas and Easter, for example, do I also teach about non-Christian holidays?

a. If an activity is planned for December: Do we plan activities to teach about religious holidays at various times of the year or only in December?

3. Does the planned activity have the primary effect of advancing or inhibiting religion?

Does it, for example, promote one faith over another or even religion in general? The school’s approach should be academic, not devotional.

a. Have I done what I can to ensure that no student or parent may be made to feel like an outsider, and not a full member of the community, by this activity?

P. Staff should refer to the attached Holiday Guidelines for guidance on specific questions relating to religion in schools.

Holiday Guidelines
Highline Public Schools serves families of many cultures and religions. It is important to honor all traditions, while staying within legal boundaries and district policies regarding religion in public schools. Public schools are required to treat religion with neutrality. Neutrality means protecting the religious liberty rights of all students while simultaneously rejecting school endorsement or promotion of religion. In 1995, 24 major religious and educational organizations defined religious liberty in public schools this way:

Public schools may not inculcate nor inhibit religion. They must be places where religion and religious conviction are treated with fairness and respect. Public schools uphold the

First Amendment when they protect the religious liberty rights of students of all faiths or none. Schools demonstrate fairness when they ensure that the curriculum includes study about religion as an important part of a complete education.1

Each of the religions represented in our student population celebrates a variety of holidays throughout the year. Questions are often raised about how schools can recognize holidays inclusively and sensitively. A committee of Highline Public Schools staff and community members developed the following guidelines based on consensus guidelines drafted and endorsed by a coalition of religious and educational groups in Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment Guide to Religion in Public Schools.

A.    Can holidays be recognized at school?
A holiday may have both religious and non-religious cultural significance. When planning activities as part of a holiday theme, staff should take care to focus on the historical and secular aspects of the holiday rather than its devotional meanings. Holiday activities, including instruction, parties, and decorations, must not have the purpose or effect of promoting or inhibiting religion.

Balance is essential to providing a school environment that does not appear to promote any religion(s) over others. Therefore, staff is encouraged to recognize a variety of cultural and holiday celebrations, such as Black History Month, United Nations Day, Hispanic Heritage

Month, Chinese New Year, and others. The school district calendar is a useful reference for relevant dates.

B. Can holiday decorations be displayed on school property?
Holiday displays must have a secular purpose and must not give the impression that the school or district is affiliated with any particular religion. Primarily secular symbols such as evergreen trees and Santa Claus are acceptable; however, staff is encouraged to keep these symbols to a minimum and to display them for a limited period of time. Further, staff is encouraged balance such displays with symbols commemorating other traditions of the season, such as Hanukkah and Kwanza. Symbols of primarily religious significance including the cross, crucifix, religious icons, Star of David, and creche are not acceptable for a holiday display but are permissible as a teaching aid or resource, provided they are used only as examples of cultural or religious heritage. Religious symbols may be displayed only on a temporary basis as part of the academic lesson being studied. (Florey v. Sioux Falls School District) Students and staff do have the right to wear religious symbols (e.g. Star of David or cross jewelry) as long as they are not disruptive to the educational process.

C. Are classroom/school parties or celebrations permitted at holiday times?
Schools are encouraged to minimize the amount of instructional time used for parties. (A general guideline is two events per year, about one hour per event.) Seasonal celebrations are permitted with the understanding that public schools may not sponsor religious devotions, practice, or celebration. Activities must be non-devotional and focus on the secular, rather than religious, aspects of the holiday.

D. Is it acceptable for students to engage in activities with a holiday theme, such as making holiday ornaments or gifts to take home?
Yes, as long as students are not asked or required to make religious symbols and as long as there is an alternative assignment for students who do not wish to participate. The aim should be to devise holiday activities that serve an educational purpose for all students—activities that make no students feel excluded or forced to identify with a religion they do not practice.1

E. If participation in a holiday event is prohibited by a student’s religious beliefs, or if a parent does not want his/her child to participate, must we offer an alternative activity?
Yes, an alternative should always be offered for those who do not wish to participate.

However, we should minimize situations that require students to opt out of classroom or schoolwide activities. It is important to note that holidays such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day, which are considered by many people to be secular, are viewed by others as having religious overtones. Alternative activities should be provided for families who hold such beliefs.

1 Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment Guide to Religion in

Public Schools, Charles C. Haynes and Oliver Thomas, First

Amendment Center, 2007.

F. Can student assemblies or performances have music that has religious content?
Yes, with limits. The program cannot inhibit or advance a religious belief. When choosing music for students to play or sing, it is critical to be aware of and be sensitive to students of all religions. School concerts may include religious music; however, there should be selections from a variety of religions. Concerts should not be dominated by religious music, especially when they coincide with a particular religious holiday.2

G. Can material with religious themes be used in the classroom?
The use of art, drama, music, or literature with religious themes is permissible if it serves a sound educational goal in the curriculum. The material should be included on the basis of its academic or aesthetic value, and not as a vehicle for promoting religious beliefs. For example, sacred music may be sung or played as part of the academic study of music. However, sensitivity is critical, and selections should be balanced among various religions and with non-religious material.

H. Does the constitutional separation of church and state mean that religion has no place in public schools?
No. Schools are required to be neutral with regard to religion, meaning schools must neither promote nor inhibit religion. This does not mean schools are required to ignore religion. Schools demonstrate neutrality by protecting the religious liberty rights of all students while simultaneously rejecting school endorsement or promotion of religion.4

I. How can teachers and administrators ensure school activities or instruction is neutral?
Here are some questions school personnel should ask themselves when planning activities or instruction that may involve religious content:

1. Do I have a distinct educational purpose in mind? If so, what is it? It should not be the purpose of public schools to celebrate or observe religious holidays.

2. How does this activity serve the educational mission of the school or the academic goals of the course?

3. Are we prepared to teach about the religious meaning of this holiday in a way that enriches students’ understanding of history and cultures?

J. If I use holidays as an opportunity to teach about religion, am I balanced and fair in my

approach? If I teach about Christmas and Easter, for example, do I also teach about non-

Christian holidays?

1. If an activity is planned for December: Do we plan activities to teach about religious holidays at various times of the year or only in December?

K. Does the planned activity have the primary effect of advancing or inhibiting religion?

Does it, for example, promote one faith over another or even religion in general? The

school’s approach should be academic, not devotional.

1. Have I done what I can to ensure that no student or parent may be made to feel like an outsider, and not a full member of the community, by this activity?

3,4 Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment Guide to Religion in Public Schools, Charles C. Haynes and Oliver Thomas, First Amendment Center, 2007.

Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Board: August 1984
Revised by the Board: 11.85, 03.86, 01.08