New directive has gotten "compliments," official says
By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
Recognition of religious holidays in schools are now limited to activities that serve the needs of educating students about cultural practices.
Activities and displays will be designed to with sensitivity to the diversity of the student body. The policy makes it clear that no student should feel excluded or forcibly identified with a religion not his or her own.
These directives are part of a written policy on religion in schools adopted by a unanimous vote of the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education on Dec. 10.
”We’ve heard nothing but compliments,” about the policy, said JoAnn Meyer, school district director of communications and development, Tuesday.
”What the committee report did, and the board ultimately adopted as policy, was provide solid guidance for teachers and gave parents a better understanding of what is permitted. The final faculty presentations were done yesterday (Monday at Timberlane and CHS) and that went well,” Ms. Meyer said.
”Teachers are telling us they appreciate the guidance. We can tell from the number of hits on the Web site, where the committee report has been posted, that people are very interested in the topic. And there’s a lot of staff interest in following these issues going forward,” she added.
”There will be some curriculum writing that will be done over the summer. Coincidentally we’ll be introducing a comparative religions course for seniors at the high school in fall 2008 — not triggered by the controversy — and there is staff interested in professional development courses in this area,” Ms. Meyer concluded.
On the subject of religious holidays, the new policy states: “Balance is desirable and may be implemented in different ways according to the class and the season. To the extent that religious holidays are manifested in activities and displays over the course of a school year, a variety of religions shall be represented.”
The policy implements the recommendations in the recently completed final report of an ad hoc committee on religion in schools. The committee consisted of local school officials, clergy from a variety of faiths and parents. The group was formed after a debate, during the 2006 holiday season, on what the role of schools on the issue of religion should be.
The policy states that the school board “shall ensure that parents and staff members receive information regarding this policy. The superintendent will provide initial and periodic training to all instructional staff regarding the proper implementation of this policy and best practices regarding religion in the schools. Through implementation of this policy, the board seeks to promote understanding and respect for the diversity present in the community and throughout the world.”
The policy also says the district’s instructional programs “must remain consistent with the law, as interpreted by state and federal courts, and in accordance with the state and federal constitutions. Instructional programs that teach about religion must not violate the religious neutrality of the public school. The approach to religion must be academic and not devotional.”

