Posted on 12/21/2004 1:26:51 PM PST by Libloather
U.S. Department of Justice opens inquiry into Plano school’s restrictive Christmas policy
Preliminary inquiry announced one day after lawsuit filed by ADF and LLI
Release Date: 2004-12-16
Primary Category: Religious Freedom
ADF Media Relations
480-444-0020
PLANO, Texas—The U.S. Department of Justice announced today that it is opening a “preliminary inquiry” into the Plano Independent School District.
The announcement comes one day after attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and Liberty Legal Institute filed suit against the district for its restrictive policy against religious Christmas expression (www.alliancedefensefund.org/story/?id=566).
“Though the DOJ has made no determination about the merits of this case, their inquiry is certainly a significant development,” said ADF Senior Counsel Gary McCaleb. “We are pleased that DOJ officials are looking closely at this situation.”
In a letter dated today (www.alliancedefensefund.org/media/DOJletter.pdf) which requests legal documents and information related to the case, the DOJ states it is opening the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the “federal lawsuit regarding the Plano Independent School District’s…alleged refusal to permit students to distribute religious messages during school parties and on school property.”
ADF is America’s largest legal alliance defending religious liberty through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.
We've been in the district since 1980. Of course, I am not an activist. I haven't sent paperwork anywhere to complain about anything and demand investigation for good ness only knows what reason. What was your complaint, specifically? It's not nearly enough for me to hear you say "That should be enough." In God we trust, all others bring data. Your data, please. Specific data.
I do remember in the 1980s when Schimelpfenig Middle School had the highest number of President's scholars in the nation, as my child was among them. Wasn't 1980 the year Carlisle Elementary and PSHS won the President's flag award for Excellence in Education? Of course, that district has won so many of those flag awards that it is difficult to keep count.
I have read the curriculum and textbooks, as I was and am highly involved with my children's education. My kids have all turned out great. No drug abuse, no premature sexual activity, no pregnancies, no abortions, no brushes with the law, SAT scores in the 1400s, great work ethics, and they are loving, sincere and honest people. Everyone old enough to have one, has at least one college degree. Some have two, in fact. I have to give their educations some credit for that.
I have no complaints, and only have praise for the district and its profesionalism.
"Far be it from me to preach, but I believe it's our job as parents to make sure our kids understand and see these things for what they are."
Exactly. Starting with US.
"Well then, lets not stop there. Cancel the winter (Christmas) break alltogether! Spring break too."
I think the breaks are state mandated. The distribution policies are district mandated. Fine with me to cancel the breaks, btw. If they went to schol all year`round, it wouldn't hurt them. In fact, I think PISD actually experimented with an alternative calendar.
So we teach the children that freedom of expression is granted by the state and not God.
Welp, public schools are supposed to be about EDUCATION.
Education requires a standardized, disteric wide curriculum as well as discipline. If people want to express religious sentiments like solstice or Ramadan or anything else, they should establish their own schools and make their own policies. Or`wait till they go to college. Or become artists.
Perhaps you might just want to examine what this totalitarian ban is teaching you children, hmmmmmmm? So we say we can't have freedom of expression at Christmas???? Thats stupid.
It teaches them that school is for education and religion is for churches.
"Yes, but the schools can never be "neutral" or "areligious" and who would want them to be?! I wouldn't want my child educated in a watered down, censored, and timid school that is afraid of religion or controversial ideas. The only ulimate solution to avoid this is to abolish the public schools or, at least have school choice. Your "let's ban all religion" solution is a recipe for mediocrity and dumbing down to the lowest common denominator."
I don't know where your kids have gone to school, but the PISD has been exceedingly neutral in the twenty + years we have had kids in it.
It is a no-nonsense district where children are given a solid basic education. That is the mission; reliable, basic education so kids can go on to college and do well.
Religion is the function of the family and church; education is the function of the school. If you want to mix them, then you need a parochial school or you need tp gome school. A lot of people do.
What are the origins of the breaks to begin with......Christmas and Easter.......state just formalizes them.
Welp, public schools are supposed to be about EDUCATION. Education requires a standardized, disteric wide curriculum as well as discipline.
Education goes beyond the 3-R's, it is a reflection (or at least it used to be) of the society at large, reinforcing the values, TRADITIONS, and roles. Back in the dark ages when I attended public school, I'm sure there were non-Christians in attendance, but they participated in the Christmas festivities anyway and I don't think they were a bit traumatized at all.
It teaches them that school is for education and religion is for churches.
A religion that is confined to the four walls of a place of worship is worthless and dead. The minute you take that attitude, you open yourself to totalitarianism. Our constitution guarantees the FREEDOM to practice our beliefs without artificial government intervention. That means in the schools, work, parks, malls, where ever we are. The founders of our country certainly didn't restrict their beliefs behind the walls of a building, but incorporated it into every facet of their lives as well as into the constitution. If our schools really TAUGHT history again, this would be very clear.
I disagree. I went to a thoroughly secular high school and one of the readings in my Humanities course was the Book of Job. We also read Karl Marx and selections from the Koran too. It was part of a fully rounded education and I remember it fondly. I wouldn't want my child to go a school which shied away from religion or other controversial ideas. If a child doesn't learn the important role which religon has played in history, philosophy, and government, he will have inferior education no matter how high he scores on tests.
And, as long as we are no longer celebrating Christmas, there is no longer a reason to have Christmas day off as a national holiday. I'm sure that some of the various unions will object, but then, if there is no reason for a holiday, why should we pay people for that holiday.
BTW, I see above that you mentioned your children did quite well in the 80's, they celebrated Christmas in the 80's, perhaps that's why you never had any trouble with them.
What are the origins of the breaks to begin with......Christmas and Easter.......state just formalizes them.
Doesn't matter, as long as the state decides how many days they want kids to be in school. Perhaps you should take it up with the state legislatures.
Education goes beyond the 3-R's, it is a reflection (or at least it used to be) of the society at large, reinforcing the values, TRADITIONS, and roles. Back in the dark ages when I attended public school, I'm sure there were non-Christians in attendance, but they participated in the Christmas festivities anyway and I don't think they were a bit traumatized at all.
Following your logic, then, public school time should also be taken for Pagan Yule Log sacrifices, Ramadan , Maha
Shivarathi, Yom Kippur, Birth of the B'ab, Bodhi Day, Ganesh,Kwanzaa etc. Personally as a tax payer, I want the time used to give my children an education in that which can be quantified and measured.
What the heck, Baptists and Catholics won't be traumatized a bit...right? No one will mind their own kid being exposed to pagan beliefs, Islamic beliefs...right?
It teaches them that school is for education and religion is for churches.
A religion that is confined to the four walls of a place of worship is worthless and dead.
Islam was not confined to four walls on 911. Are you asserting that this is a desirable state of affairs?
The minute you take that attitude, you open yourself to totalitarianism.
The minute you take your attitude, you open the door to anarchy.
Our constitution guarantees the FREEDOM to practice our beliefs without artificial government intervention. That means in the schools, work, parks, malls, where ever we are. The founders of our country certainly didn't restrict their beliefs behind the walls of a building, but incorporated it into every facet of their lives as well as into the constitution. If our schools really TAUGHT history again, this would be very clear.
Then you have opened the door to religious expression of all stripes in every public place, including public schools. So please don't complan when your child is exposed to pagans dancing around a burning log at the winter holiday celebration. You need to understand that religious freedom means religious freedom for EVERYONE, not just for a few activists.
Do you have Christian kids? Apparently, those are the ones who feel left out.
"They are only mandated because of Christmas, as spring break is for Easter. If they aren't going to celebrate those things there is absolutely NO reason not to have the children in school. As a matter of fact, we are paying both teachers and administrators an annual salary, why not make them work the entire year. They can get two weeks off just like the rest of us.
And, as long as we are no longer celebrating Christmas, there is no longer a reason to have Christmas day off as a national holiday. I'm sure that some of the various unions will object, but then, if there is no reason for a holiday, why should we pay people for that holiday."
I actually have no problem with that. My kids went to summer school, and did extracurriculars that kept them busy during the summer. Keep em working, raise the SAT scores.
"BTW, I see above that you mentioned your children did quite well in the 80's, they celebrated Christmas in the 80's, perhaps that's why you never had any trouble with them."
They did well because they were given sound educations in the public school district here, and because they came from a good home ( blush.) I have to say that they were taught to be good and productive citizens within the school district.
To be very honest with you, I was a room mom in the 80s AND 90s (I have lots of kids) and there was not any emphasis on Chrismas, just on Winter Break.
"I disagree. I went to a thoroughly secular high school and one of the readings in my Humanities course was the Book of Job. We also read Karl Marx and selections from the Koran too. It was part of a fully rounded education and I remember it fondly. I wouldn't want my child to go a school which shied away from religion or other controversial ideas. If a child doesn't learn the important role which religon has played in history, philosophy, and government, he will have inferior education no matter how high he scores on tests."
Time enough and time for all that in college, when minds are mature enough to handle it. Far more important to teach kids how to read and write, do calc and trig, and learn their physics first. My opinion.
"Criticism of the Plano Independent School District by any student, faculty, staff, employee, parent of any student, visitor, contractor, or any other person in any way associated with any such school, is forbidden, however slight, indirect, or by innuendo, vocal inflections, body language, or mere thought.
No other person within 500 yards of any property of or person associated with such school district may engage in any such criticism.
This prohibited activity constitutes the worst possible offense against disciplinary order and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the ability the school district.
FOR IT HAS BEEN SO DECREED."
Wow. Sounds like you had a problem with the district. What was it? C'mon now, let us in on the secret!!!!
These bums are in for a really rude awakening.
*sigh*
I remember hanging out at Plano HS's parking lot with a bunch of other kids sixteen years ago.
New guy in town, kinda funny looking, wondering what there was to do in this town.
Those were the days.
Well...of course....I am assuming that kids already know how to read and write by high school. Unfortunately, that is usually a false assumption in 2004.
"These bums are in for a really rude awakening."
Dear LadyLib,
It's crystal clear to many of us whose children go to school daily in the PISD that OUR school district ( paid for by OUR taxes) is under directed attack by a handful of activists. As taxpayers and productive, law abiding citizens doing what WE DEEM BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN, ( NOTE: DOING WHAT WE DEEM BEST FOR OUR OWN CHILDREN) we, as a group of reasonable, mature adults find this most unacceptable.
Do ya reeeeeelllllyyyyyy think we're that stupid, darlin'?
There very well may be a rude awakening, and it very well may be your very own.
"Well...of course....I am assuming that kids already know how to read and write by high school. Unfortunately, that is usually a false assumption in 2004."
And the SAT says...what?
Leave the specialization for college.
I don't think so, dear. There are a lot of people unhappy with PISD.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41955
There are a lot of people who are Pissed at PISD.
LOL! BUMS!!!
http://www.dallasrelo.com/compare.html
Those bums produce some of the highest SAT scorews around, gull durn it. Coises, foiled again!
BTW, if you want to convince me, better give me something more than an opinion piece in a journal with an agenda.
Since I live here, am a tax payer here, and have had multiple children successfully go through this excellect system in the last 20+ years, I know a little better than you what this is about.
BTW, wasting taxpayer monies in a time of war on something as frivolous as your little complaint is not going to win you a lot of friends, either.
Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.