Matters of Church and State

Rev. Brian Leone of Good Shepherd Church remembers one October when his wife taught at a public school in Rhode Island.

"A principal didn't want to celebrate Halloween because she considered it satanic, and put religious pamphlets in every teachers' mailbox," Leone said. "She got into trouble and was removed."

There is often a fine line in the separation of church and state, especially in public schools, where religion or religious expression can either enhance students' education or offend people of different beliefs.

A subcommittee of the Monroe Board of Education is grappling with sensitive issues, while crafting a policy on religious instruction, observances and displays for the school district.

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Richard Canfield obtained Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) policies on religion in schools as a model for Policy Committee members to review.

Representatives of Good Shepherd, St. Peter's Episcopal, and Monroe Congregational churches, and Congregation Adath Israel - a Newtown synagogue in which 30% of the congregants are Monroe residents - were invited to attend a recent committee meeting in the Masuk High School library to share their views and concerns on the subject.

"We want to celebrate our diversity and, at the same time, not make a child feel like their religion is left out," Superintendent of Schools Colleen Palmer said. "These are not easy issues to navigate."

Once the committee drafts a proposal, it will go to the Board of Education for two readings and possible revisions and adoption.

Canfield said the policy would guide teachers in educating students about diversity, without promoting or advancing any particular religion.

The CABE policies cover religious symbols such as a Cross and Star of David, displays, curriculum, ceremonies and obervances and issues relating to freedom of speech.

The Rev. Kurt Huber, pastor of St. Peter's, said his church had no issues with the CABE model.

"I thought it was an even handed way of promoting religion and its context without advocating for any one," Huber said. "We are more diverse. Just from my perspective, I think this is a good start."

"I think it's very fair," said Jean Paul, director of religious education at St. Jude Church. "I'm just concerned over who will have the final say."

Due process

One question Paul had was about restrictions over what children wear.

"Who makes the call over whether my diamond cross makes too strong a statement, rather than wearing a beautiful piece of jewelry?" she asked.

Palmer said different things can factor into a situation.

"Muslim children in traditional garb can wear a headdress, but can't cover their face because we have to know who's walking down the hall," Palmer said.

Board of Education Chairman Darrell Trump said religious conflicts would be decided in the same manner as other issues, with decisions made by the school principal, to the assistant superintendent to the superintendent.

"It starts with the principal," Palmer said. "And if someone disagrees, it will come before the board, so there is due process. We want to be fair to everybody."

Paul expressed her belief that good moral values should be taught in the classroom, then parents can insert the religous tag when their child comes home.

'Don't want to be the Grinch'

The school district also sought input from religious leaders for the planning of and observance of religious holidays.

Among the holidays Rabbi Shaul Praver of Congregation Adath Israel was interested in were Roshashana - the Jewish New Year - and Passover.

"Roshashana is observed for two days. It's observed for one day in the form," he said of a CABE policy.

He also pointed out that a student could celebrate the Passover sedar early into the morning.

"These are the dates where we ask for some consideration of students," Praver said. "They can't do their homework then."

The CABE policy allows for excused absenses for religious reasons and plans scheduling with religion in mind. For example, major school functions would not be scheduled during Jewish holy days.

Christmas shows have long been an annual tradition at town schools, but Monroe also has Jewish residents and growing Muslim and Sikh populations.

"As a rabbi, I don't want to be the Grinch Who Stole Christmas," Praver said. "I tend to be somewhat of a centrist. If there is going to be a holiday concert with Christian music, then there should be some representation of Hebrew song or Yiddish. But I heard that is being done already."

"My feeling is play them all," Paul said. "Extend the concert another 15 minutes and let every religion be represented. Instead of stifling, let's embrace this and make it educational."

"I'm a Lutheran pastor," Leone said. "I am troubled by some of this, because it's very subjective. It says a Christmas tree is not a religious symbol. I see it as one."

"Monroe is very diverse now," he said. "We have a mosque in Monroe with a big Muslim community and Sikhs. We want to teach children about different religions without proselytising."

The Rev. Peter Allen of Monroe Congregational United Church of Christ cautioned against trying to erase all signs of religions and pretending "we're all the same."

"When we assume we're all the same," he said, "we can make things worse. I would love to see programming so there are collaborations of several religious traditions, so people don't feel left out, but rather, lifted up."

"Lets encourage religion and bring in all the symbols to teach, rather than silence," Paul said.

"I think it's better to be inclusive, because the children will learn so much more," said Board of Education member Mark Hughes.

The Santa Factor

The December holidays took up most of the night's discussion.

"Even as a Christian, I don't want to see a Christmas tree in school," Leone said. "It is a religious symbol, no matter what you put on it. An evergreen is a religious symbol. Tread very carefuly with this, especially with the Muslim community in Monroe.

Leone said, "What's not a religious symbol to you, may be to someone else."

"What about Santa Claus?" Trump asked with a grin. "Any issues with St. Nick?"

"Even if made secular, it's a religious symbol," said the Rev. Peter Allen of Monroe Congregational United Church of Christ. "I think Santa Claus messed everything up. I put myself in Jewish and Muslim shoes and it's a religious symbol."

Board of Education member Mark Antinozzi said, "Bill O'Reilly might ask this, 'What do you think of Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas?'"

"What if someone wished you Happy Ramadon?" Allen asked. "Wouldn't you be confused? I think it's a nice thing to wish someone a happy holiday."