December in Public Schools
December in Public Schools
December can be a stressful and challenging time for students and staff, personally and professionally. Every December public school teachers and administrators face the difficult task of acknowledging the various religious and secular holiday traditions celebrated during this time of year while balancing the need for sustained high-quality teaching and learning. In an effort to help create a school environment that celebrates diversity by respecting differing points of view concerning religions, the following suggestions are offered.
Public schools must never appear to endorse religion over non-religion or one particular religious faith over another.
Public schools must be careful not to cross the line between teaching about religious holidays (which is permitted) and celebrating religious holidays (which is not).
Religious music, literature, art or other religious activities should not dominate school activities. School events, assemblies, concerts and programs must be designed to further a secular and objective program of education and must not focus on any one religion or religious observance.
Religious symbols are not appropriate seasonal decorations in public schools. At the same time, students should not be restricted from choosing to express their religious views in course assignments (e.g., artwork, personal narrative).
My goal is to provide an inclusive learning environment for all students. Every student should feel welcome and represented at a public school and should be able to participate in every activity we have.
High-quality standards-based instruction and student learning is the expectation in December as it is throughout the school year. Holiday activities, parties and showing of videos should be a minimal part of the school day. Maintaining routines are important to increase student learning and minimize behavioral difficulties.
Questions to consider:
1. Is this activity designed in any way to either promote or inhibit religion?
2. How does this activity serve the academic goals of the course, or the educational mission of the school?
3. Will any student or parent be made to feel like an outsider, not a full member of the community, by this activity?
4. If in December: Do we plan activities to teach about religious holidays at various times of the year or only in December?
5. Are we prepared to teach about the religious meaning of this holiday in a way that enriches students’ understanding of history and cultures?
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