Artifact 6

Artifact #6 Religion and Public Schools
Artifact #6
Religion and Public Schools
Melissa Acevedo
College of Southern Nevada
May 13, 2016
A kindergarten teacher named Karen White announced to her students and parents that she would
no longer be participating any holiday associated activities, birthday celebrations, or recite the pledge of
allegiance due her recently becoming Jehovah’s Witness. Both parents and the Principal decided it was
best to dismiss Karen White because of her newly acquired religion. The parents and principle believed
that Karen white could no longer meet the needs of the students by not participating in these activities.
They believe it would not be fair to the students to not have any sort of celebrations because of their
teacher’s religion.
The first case I would like to present in favor of Karen White is Wisconsin vs. Yoder (decided
May 15, 1972). In this case the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Amish children who believed that they
did not have to attend school past the eighth grade based on their religious beliefs. They felt that because
of their religion and simple way of life any higher education was unnecessary for them. The Supreme
Court agree claiming that they had already received basic education which is what they would need for
their lifestyle. This case has many similarities to Karen White’s. It is not in the belief of her religion to
have to take participation in any school activities/celebrations that she is not comfortable with or chooses
to not to participate in. Both the Bill Ward and the parents should be understanding of White’s decision
because it is in the belief of her religion, just like it was for the Amish children.
The second case I would like to present Engel vs. Vitale (decided June 24, 1962). In this case
student were required to start the day with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. The allegiance and
prayer recognized the student’s dependence on God in which most students had mixed feelings about. The
law gave students the right to not participate in state composed prayer if felt unnecessary. The students’
parents sued stating it violated the Establishment Clause and their children’s First Amendment. This too
shall apply to Karen White just like the students felt in Engel vs. Vitale she should not have to participate
in anything that she does not believe in, or does not comply within her religion. She should not be
subjected to participate in birthdays, holidays etc. under any circumstances.

I would like to present the case of Lee vs. Weisman (decided in 1992) for my second case in favor
of Bill Ward. A middle school principal had a Rabbi recite prayer at his school’s graduation. Both parents
and students felt that they were forcing prayer upon them at their graduation because it was school
sponsored. In this case the school board voted against school sponsored prayers during graduation. It was
unfair to have prayer because it was a graduation, and the students should not have been obligated to sit
through the Rabbis prayer in order to attend their own ceremony. Even though graduation is voluntary is
not fair for students to miss it. This case relates to that of Karen White because she is bringing her beliefs
upon her students by having them miss out on school activities and celebrations due to the her new
beliefs. She is denying the students the opportunity to participate in activities that other classrooms will
most likely have, only because she no longer believes in participating or celebrating them.
My second case I would like to present is in favor of Bill Ward is Helland vs. South Bend
Community School Corp( decided August 15, 1996). Helland a substitute teacher is no longer going to be
contacted by the school because of his religious beliefs, and not following his set teaching duties. While
working as a substitute Helland would carry around a bible with him in which he would read from to the
students. Helland would also hand out pamphlets while he was supposed to be teaching the lesson plan
left for him. Many teachers complained that he failed to do his job, and give the proper lessons to the
students. Helland did not carry himself as a teacher should around their students. Due to his actions
Helland was told that he would no longer be contacted to substitute in that school. This case relates to
Karen Whites because she is too failing at her duties as a teacher. Even though she is not reading from the
bible, or distributing fliers she not participating in activities that students and others teachers enjoy doing.
I believe that the Bill Ward does have the right to dismiss Karen White. Like in Helland vs. South
Bend, she is bringing her religion and involving her students in it. By not participating in these activities
kids are missing out on things that make school fun for kids to attend or participate in. I believe that it is
important for teachers to have an open mind, and take in consideration your students their different
ethnical backgrounds. Lee vs. Weisman teaches that teachers and principals should not force religious
practices upon students. Karen White is not giving her students the same opportunity to have fun
activities in class, that others students have in other classrooms. If she is not willing to do her job
correctly, and set aside her religion for the sake of her students then she should be dismissed.
References
Engel v. Vitale (June 24, 1962)
Facts and Case Summary - Engel v. Vitale. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2016, from
http://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/facts-and-case-
summary-engel-v-vitale
Helland v. South Bend Community School (August 15, 1996)
FindLaw's United States Seventh Circuit case and opinions. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2016, from
http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-7th-circuit/1121261.html
Wisconsin v. Yoder (May 15, 1972)
Wisconsin v. Yoder. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2016, from
https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/406/205
Lee v. Weisman (1992)
Underwood, J., & Webb, L. D. (2006). School law for teachers: Concepts and applications.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.

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Artifact #6 Religion and Public Schools

subjected to participate in birthdays, holidays etc. under any circumstances.

Engel v. Vitale (June 24, 1962)

Helland v. South Bend Community School (August 15, 1996)

Wisconsin v. Yoder (May 15, 1972)

Wisconsin v. Yoder. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2016, from

Lee v. Weisman (1992)

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.

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