North Carolina Charter School Updates Religion Policy After Teacher's Prayer In Class
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/21/charter-school-classroom-prayer_n_6201594.html
The Huffington Post | By Alexandra Svokos
Posted: 11/21/2014 6:52 pm EST Updated: 11/21/2014 6:52 pm EST
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A North Carolina charter school's board this week banned teachers from instructing students to pray in the classroom after one of the school's educators taught students a prayer and handed out church pamphlets.
The new policy at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy in Forest City, North Carolina, aims to "maintain appropriate respect regarding religious freedom in the school environment" and "the schools official neutrality regarding religious issues." It makes it clear that "[n]o person is required to participate in prayer."
The policy follows complaints from Stephanie Morris, whose daughter came home reciting a prayer taught by her teacher, according to the Daily Courier. Her daughter also came home with pamphlets and brochures from a local church that her teacher had distributed.
Morris emailed the principal with her complaint, but no changes were made. A month later, the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to the school on her behalf, NC Policy Watch reports. This led to Monday's meeting of the charter school board.
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