Pensee

I might actually be able to get away with recording it out in the open. I have to have a videotape of myself teaching. I could just record all day a couple of days and tell her that I'm recording all the events of the day, including morning routines like saying the pledge and transitional activities, which would include saying the blessing (as it is a transition from classroom activities to lunch). OTOH, if she is uncomfortable with me recording the blessing, it could "accidentally" be on, while sitting on the desk during the prayer.

We'll see how it goes. Aside from all of this, I do really like her. I wouldn't want her to lose her job. She's been teaching for 17 years. She's an excellent teacher.

Grumpy--I like the idea of teaching kids not to obey rules they disagree with j/k of course, but that really is the next logical step.

Gary- I do believe it would be very obvious, since I'm the only new witness to this practice. That's why I want to wait a little bit.

Rufus--Excellent advice, but I want a job after I graduate.

GaryP

I'm near the end of my teaching career. I most certainly do not want you to do something that could jeopardize your future career.

It may be a good idea to confide in a prof at your school as southernhybrid suggested.

It is very frustrating to hear or see of things like this and not be able to do anything about it.

Every year, our music tacher puts on a Xmas program for our 1st-3rd graders. At least half of the songs are religious in nature. I really wonder about the legality of it, but I want to finish my last 4 or 5 years in the state retirement system.

And my principal has a crucifix haging in his office. I asked AU about it and the lawyer said it would be an interesting case.

Maybe my last year, I will just let it all hang out!

Belle

Please video tape this and keep us posted. I'm so sick of people in power flaunting laws and being in that powerful position even without the benefit of common sense. Bust her butt...when it suits you ofcourse. You need to make a living and there's no need to put your career on the line for this type of stupidity. I admire your ability to keep your cool. If you want I can call the school as a concerned parent and I won't even bill you for the long distance charges!

Mageth

I think the best course of action is to first discuss it with your college advisor, as others have recommended.

Ab_Normal

I'm of two minds about religious music at public schools. I believe that according to the "three reindeer" rule, as long as there is a mix of secular and religious music, they're ok. (I'm afraid I can't recall the actual precedent - it's the one that lets municipalities put up nativity scenes as long as they put up secular symbols and symbols from other religions.) Also, religious Xmas carols are a large part of our culture - personally, I prefer them to the secular ones, probably because they are associated with happy childhood Xmas memories. In the same vein, the high school chamber choir I was in (public high school) sang religious pieces, in the original language, but only for the art of it - it was clearly not an expression of religious belief.

On the other hand, they are forcing kids who are not of the majority religion (secular, atheist, Jewish, Muslim, etc.) to participate in a religious expression. So I can also understand the objections.

Feh, I dunno!

braces_for_impact

And remember my good little fundies...the bible says to follow the laws of man unless they go counter to the laws of god, become inconvienent, or you just personally dissagree with them.

Since the 'law of god' is a matter of pick-and-choose interpretation, it should be pretty easy to show how these laws of men run against 'god's law'.

See how easy that was?

It's unfortunate these people don't realize how this puts you in a tough position.

:banghead:

faustuz

So let me get this straight. This kindergarten teacher is knowingly and willfully teaching her five year old students to break the law?

uhcord

Ya, basically. I don't think the students know that it is illegal though.

Maybe you could sneak something about this in to the kids.

When the teacher isn't within hearing range, you could be like, "Now kids, this is illegal, so make sure you don't tell your parents."

The kids will of course tell their parents, and maybe one will make a "big fuss over it".

*shrug* Try to think of something sneaky that will not comprimise your job.

Lady MacDuff

Hearing this kind of stuff makes me so mad!!! I am assuming you are student teaching in Mississippi, right? Kind of hard to fight it down there...good luck.

Maybe you can keep your eyes peeled for students of religions that don't allow that type of prayer (difficult to tell, but maybe). If there are any, I am sure their parents would have a fit if they knew what was going on.

I wonder if they do it on "bring your mom/dad to school with you" day?

beejay

Pensee-

Some thoughts based on what I've read above…

1 The number one consideration for you should be getting a good education and getting good recommendations when you go job-hunting. Although you could make some change by making a fuss here, I don't think you should jeopardize your future to do so.

2 I think it is likely that the parents agree with the grace, or are at least aware of it. If you had a child of a non-Christian in the class, I'm sure there would be some dinner conversation like "this is what we say at school; why don't we say it at home?"

3 If you felt confident that discussing this with your college professor wouldn't get you in trouble with him, that could be a good conversation to have.

4 I would contact either Americans United or the ACLU. Tell them you aren't in a position to sue but see if they will send a standard sort of reminder letter to the school. (If you think they can do that without it being clear that you instigated it.)

5 I don't think what you have witnessed is uncommon. I think there are a lot of small towns with a conservative Christian population who have agreed to ignore the law.

6 Keep in mind that no matter what you do, they are likely to resume their present practice if there is no one in town to keep after them. You probably don't have standing to sue now, and certainly won't after you are done teaching there.

I don't want to sound too discouraging, and I generally am in favor of making a fuss, but I don't want you to get hurt in the process.


[edit to fix typos]