Week+5+Religion

Prayers in Public School - Team B Case Study A group of parents come to the principal’s office, complaining about the lack of morals and ethics in the school. They believe that the solution is to have more prayer during the school activities. They ask for the following: (a) a moment of silent prayer at the beginning of each day; (b) a prayer offered by a student over the loudspeaker before every athletic event and school assembly; and (c) a prayer by a local religious leader before graduation at the end of the year.

Are there any problems with the parents’ requests?

As Principal, how would you respond to these requests?

As Principal, I would ask for time to review their requests and speak with the Superintendent regarding school prayer. Based on my limited knowledge of school law, I would approve of the moment of silence at the beginning of each day citing **//Lemon v. Kurtzman//**,403 U.S. 602 (1971) and the Lemon Test. During this moment of silence, students could partake in any silent activity, including prayer. However, regarding the prayer offered by a student at a school event and a prayer by a local religious leader before graduation, I would deny their requests based on the Establishment Clause and **//Santa Fe Independent School Dist. v. Doe//**,530 U.S. 290 (2000) as well as **//Lee v. Weisman//**, 505 U.S 577 (1992), I would inform the parents and students of their right to form extracurricular clubs before or after school citing the Equal Access Act. ( Patricia )