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Freedom of Religion | |
The Constitutions of the United States and the State of Oregon require the public schools to take a neutral position concerning religion. Public schools cannot aid one religion or all religions or prefer believers to nonbelievers. However, schools may provide instructional activities relating to historical and cultural aspects of religion under the following circumstances: (1) The activity must reflect a clearly secular (nonreligious) purpose. (2) The activity must have a primary effect that neither advances nor inhibits religion. (3) The activity avoids excessive entanglement with religion.
If secondary principals permit other noncurriculum student meetings or discussions on the school premises during noninstructional time, religious meetings of students that are voluntary and student initiated will also be permitted. Nonschool persons are prohibited from directing, conducting, controlling, or regularly attending the activities of such student groups. Except as provided in school board policy for the leasing of school facilities by religious groups, nonstudents are prohibited from meeting on school premises for any type of religious activity. Elementary students may be excused from school for up to two hours in any week and secondary students may be excused from school for up to five hours in any week to attend weekday schools giving religious instruction. A written request must be signed by the parent or guardian before the student is released. Religious teachers or organizations are not permitted to promote student participation by directly contacting students on school grounds or by asking students who participate in their programs to recruit students who remain at school. All promotional activities will be conducted away from school. | |
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Eugene School District 4J