http://blogs.4j.lane.edu/chinn/?p=187
Hi Everyone,
Thank you all for understanding my wanting to take a week off with my baby this past week. It was a lot of fun to be a 24 hour dad. I think I could quite happily be a stay-at-home dad.
Three items of note for this week:
• Separation of Church and State and Holiday Season Activities – The Superintendent’s Office sent the following message to principals regarding holiday activities at schools. Let me know if you have any questions regarding this policy.
Board Policy and administrative rule I-1600 Separation of Church and State provides that teachers and staff should avoid practices which tend to single out and isolate pupils and result in their having to choose between participating in some activity and violating their own religious beliefs. Schools may acknowledge traditional holidays that have both a religious and secular basis. To ensure appropriate separation of church and state, the following rules will apply for holiday activities and programs:
o Neither worship services nor religious ceremonies or programs of any kind shall be held in observance of any holiday.
o Traditional religious music is permitted only as a minor part of a school-sponsored activity or program during a holiday season. (Note: “minor” has been interpreted by the courts and legal precedent to be in the general area of 25% or less, and therefore school-sponsored activities or programs should consider religious content exceeding 25% as more than “minor”. )
o The display of religious symbols such as a cross, nativity scene, Star of David, or other symbols that are a part of a religious holiday is not permitted.
o Seasonal decorations associated with holidays are permissible, provided the decorations are not religious in nature.
o Exchanging gifts as a celebration of any holiday shall be avoided because such a practice causes considerable distress for students who cannot participate.• easyCBM Winter Benchmark Testing, November 30 – December 18 – The winter benchmark easyCBM testing window is earlier this year, from November 30 – December 18. Testing materials have been order and testing will operate the same as in the Fall with the exception math. See the next item for details on that.
• Winter Math Benchmark Test Suspended – There have been a number of concerns regarding the content of the math tests, so there will be no winter math benchmark testing for all grades. Math testing will resume in the spring, so there will be a beginning and end of year comparison and also so the district can stay in compliance with Title 1 requirements.
Have a great week, everyone!
Allan