For those interested I told Heaven Riser she is NOT going to participate in the program at school, mandatory or not. Here is the letter I sent to the principal and the teacher... To Whom it May Concern; While checking Heavens Homework I came across an assignment with a Venn diagram on it depicting Christianity, Judiasm, and Islam. What was written on this paper (according to our faith) was quite inaccurate. She began to tell me what she was learning about these faiths and I was very disturbed by what I heard. I have taken it upon myself to address her American Civil Liberties. First according to ACLU, no official can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, religion or other matters of opinion or force students to confess their faith therein. Further more it states that NO discipline, including detentions and suspensions cannot be imposed for non-participation, nor can other types of non-disciplinary penalties such as grade reduction. This ensures that the motivation for learning this subject is based on genuine interest on the part of the student and not coersion nor manipulation. Also she cannot be forced to participate in religious activities or discussions that would offend her own religious beliefs which this section of assignments clearly does. A school authority may not require students to include or excise religious views on assignments. This school has options in how to handle this situation before the situation becomes very bad. National law decrees that the school enjoys substantial discretion to excuse individual students from lessons which are objectionable to that student or his or her parent on the basis of religion. Schools can exercise that authority in ways which would diffuse many conflicts over coriculum content. The school is legally required to excuse the student from such lessons. Heaven will NOT be participating in these discussions, lessons, tests, or assignments. I would recommend giving her other work or transferring her to a class not learning this content. Her grade will not be allowed to suffer over this lesson plan. If this is not acceptable further legal action will be taken to rectify the situation. Thank you. I then added in the legal references and my phone number....what do you all think???
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 02:15:19 +0000