I-430 - Recognition of Religious Beliefs, Customs and Holidays

Written By Zack Brewer

Updated at July 27th, 2024

In This Article:

Section I:

 

 

Instructional

 Goals and

 Objectives

Knox County Board of Education Policy

Descriptor Term:

 

Recognition of Religious Beliefs, Customs and Holidays

Descriptor Code:

I-430

Issued:

7/95

Reviewed:

8/23

Revised:

6/08

No religious belief or nonbelief shall be promoted by the school system or its employees, and none shall
be belittled. All students and staff members shall be tolerant of each other's views. The school system
shall use its opportunity to foster understanding and mutual respect among students and parents, whether it involves race, culture, economic background or religious beliefs. In that spirit of tolerance, students and staff members shall be excused from participating in practices which are contrary to their religious beliefs.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS 

Observance of religious holidays shall be as follows:

  1.  The several holidays throughout the year which have both a religious and a secular basis may be
    observed in the public schools;
  2. The historical and contemporary values and the origin of religious holidays may be explained in an unbiased and objective manner without sectarian indoctrination;
  3.  Music, art, literature and drama having religious themes or basis are permitted as part of the
    curriculum for school-sponsored activities and programs if presented in a prudent and objective
    manner and as a traditional part of the cultural and religious heritage of the particular holiday; and
  4.  The use of religious symbols that are part of a religious holiday are permitted as a teaching aid or
    resource, provided such symbols are displayed as an example of the cultural and religious heritage
    of the holiday and are temporary in nature. These holidays include Christmas, Easter, Passover,
    Hanukah, St. Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving and Halloween.

 


Legal References:

  1.  Florey v. Sioux Falls, 619 F. 2nd 1311 (1980); Everson v. Board of Education, 330 U.S. 1, 91 L. Ed. 711, 67 S. Ct. 504; Committee for Public Education v. Nyquist, 413 U.S. 756, 788 37 L. Ed, 2nd 948, 93 S. Ct. 2955, 2973 (1973); Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602, 614, 91 S. Ct. 2105, 2112, 29 L. Ed. 2d 745 (1971).
  2. T.C.A. § 49-6-3016.

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