NORTH PENN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Administrative Regulations
6119(a)
INSTRUCTION
Reference: Board Policy #6120
Elementary and Secondary
Instructional Guidelines for Religious/Cultural Holidays and Celebrations
One of the school district's educational goals is to advance students' knowledge and
appreciation of the roles that religious and cultural heritage have played in the social and
historical development of civilization. It is the intent of the administration to implement board
policies in a manner that acknowledges holidays and cultures, reflects our rich diversity, is
consistent with the guidelines of the Constitution, and gives due consideration to the need to
carefully plan instruction and the time necessary for students to attain all academic standards.
The district also recognizes that the schools are a reflection of the community they serve.
Traditions are a cherished part of community life, and the district has an interest in maintaining
traditions which have significance to the community. Some holidays observed in the community
that are considered by many people to be secular (ex. Halloween, Thanksgiving and
Valentine's Day) are viewed by others as having religious overtones. The district must always
be mindful of the sensitivity of all the members of the community with regard to holidays and
celebrations of a religious, cultural or secular nature.
The United States Supreme Court has ruled that school districts may not endorse, prefer,
favor, promote or advance any religious beliefs. Therefore, the school district may teach about
religious and cultural practices; however, it cannot sponsor said practices.
Permitted:
A study of various religious/cultural/secular holidays and celebrations may be included in
elementary and secondary curricula as opportunities for teaching about religions/cultures. Such
study serves the academic goals of educating students about history and cultures, as well as
the traditions of particular religions/cultures within a pluralistic society. Teachers must be alert to
the distinction between teaching about holidays, which is permissible, and promoting holidays,
which is not.
Specifically:
INSTRUCTION: It shall be clear that teaching must foster knowledge about religion, not
indoctrination into religion; it should be academic, not devotional or testimonial; it should
promote awareness of religion, not sponsor its practice; it should inform students about
the diversity of religious views rather than impose one particular view; and it should
promote understanding of different religious views as well as respect for the rights of
persons who hold such views. The school may inform the student about various beliefs
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6119(b)
and shall not seek to conform him/her to any particular belief and must avoid pressing
the student to accept any one religion, all religions or no religion.
Recognition of and information about holidays may focus on how and when they are
celebrated, their origins, and histories. If the approach is objective and sensitive, neither
promoting nor inhibiting religious beliefs, the study can foster understanding and mutual
respect.
HOLIDAY SYMBOLS: Symbols displayed as an example of the cultural and
religious heritage of the holiday are permitted as teaching aids (such as but not
limited to a cross, menorah, crescent, crèche, angels, a tree decorated with
religious symbols, Star of David, symbols of Native American religions, and other
symbols that are part of a religious holiday). Displays should promote the
understanding of religious and cultural diversity. The display should be
educational, short-term in nature, and not celebratory. There should be an
appropriate balance of symbols displayed.
Symbols of religious holidays that have acquired secular meaning such as Christmas
trees, stars, bunnies, jack-o-lanterns, cupids, dreidels, and shamrocks are permissible
as decorations. In the use of such decorations, school administrators and teachers will
strive for balance and exercise good judgment so as not to offend the sensibilities of
those of differing creeds and religious beliefs.
MUSIC, ART, LITERATURE & DRAMA Religious expressions in music, art, and
holidays common to the people of the school district are a vital part of our cultural
heritage, and should be used in the school program as part of our American heritage. It
is expected that musical compositions chosen to be sung by students in music classes
and for public concerts will be selected on the basis of their musical merits.
Music, art, literature, and drama having religious contents are permitted as part of the
curriculum for school sponsored activities and programs if presented in an objective and
balanced manner and as a traditional part of the particular holiday or holiday season. Art
work, essays or reports depicting religious symbols created by students shall neither be
restricted nor discouraged from display in classrooms, doors or hallways.
Dramatic productions should emphasize the cultural aspects of the holidays.
ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM PARTIES: Classroom parties may be held, subject to approval
by the building principal. Although it is recommended that the number of classroom parties in a
given school year be limited to two, each building principal retains the discretion to approve
more than two classroom parties. Under no circumstances, however, will a classroom party be
approved if the party will unduly interfere with the implementation of the curriculum and
instructional program.
If the party is being held during a time of the year when members of our community typically
celebrate religious, cultural and secular holidays, and any portion of the party is planned to
acknowledge such holidays, then that portion of the party should represent the full variety and
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6119(c)
diversity of religious, cultural and secular holidays approximate to the date of the party. A wide
variety of activities should be planned so that all students are engaged throughout the length of
the party. Referring to a party as a “Halloween,” “Fall,” “Holiday,” “Winter,” “Valentine’s,”
“Spring,” or “End-of-Year” party is permissible.
Not Permitted:
Teachers may not use the study of religious holidays and cultural celebrations as an opportunity
to promote or to interject personal religious beliefs into the discussions. Teachers can avoid this
by focusing their instruction on the attributes, characteristics, traits, or qualities of the particular
religious or cultural holiday being discussed.
Religious holidays may not be celebrated during the school day. Celebration is defined as
school sponsored prayer, worship, glorification or ritual related to a holiday.
Specifically:
INSTRUCTION: To maintain the distinction between acknowledgment and celebration,
classroom parties may include activities which help students to gain an understanding of
various customs, however students shall not be required to engage in the exercise of
any customs.
MUSIC, ART, LITERATURE & DRAMA: Teachers may not encourage, discourage, or
require such creations, though students may choose to create artwork with religious
symbols. Nativity pageants or plays portraying religious miracles are not appropriate in
the public school setting.
SCHOOL-WIDE ACTIVITIES: Significant consideration for the protection of instructional
time must be given when planning school-wide assemblies, recognition activities, book
fairs and other such activities. Accordingly, activities such as school-wide parades and
holiday shops are permissible but should be limited to no more than 45 minutes in
duration.
.
STUDENT EXCUSAL: Parents and guardians have the right to have their children excused
from specific instruction which conflicts with their religious beliefs. This will be honored by the
school district upon receipt of a written request from the parents. Some parents and students
may make requests for excusals from discussions of certain secular holidays even when
discussed from an academic perspective. If focused on a limited, specific discussion, such
requests may be granted in order to strike a balance between the student's religious freedom
and the school's interest in providing a well-rounded education. All requests for student excusal
on the basis of religious objection must be in accordance with Board Policy #6142.
Reviewed:
Reviewed:
Amended:
Amended:
Amended:
ADM. REG. 6119
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November 1992
December 2007
April 2013
August 2013
November 2013