Warsaw Community Schools Once Again Violates Students' Rights
December 2020
Northern Indiana Atheists received yet another state/church violation report about Warsaw Community Schools (WCS). This time, the high school placed a nativity scene on top of the sneeze guard in their cafeteria.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert asking for its immediate removal. The letter stated, “Courts have continually held that school districts may not display religious messages or iconography in public schools” and cited several court cases that show solid precedence. FFRF also points out that religion is a divisive force in public schools and that this religious display is particularly inappropriate, given that 38% of younger Americans—i.e., their students—are nonreligious. This display alienates those nonreligious students, families, teachers, and members of the public.
If you recall last year during the holidays, we had to remind the WCS that the teachers at Lincoln Elementary should not be proselytizing to kids [LINK]. Then, just a few months ago, we had to send another letter pointing out that Washington Elementary should not be using its marquee to quote the Bible [LINK]. Parents should feel comfortable sending their children to WCS and not fear that they will be preached to or forced to participate in someone else’s faith tradition.
It’s obvious that Warsaw Community Schools needs to be doing a lot more to protect its students’ rights. In the meantime, NIA will be here to stand up for the rights of students and parents at WCS and any other school in Northern Indiana that would violate the trust we have put in them to educate our kids, not indoctrinate them.
If you know of a potential state/church violation at your public school, you can report it on our website at https://northernindianaatheists.com/report-a-statechurch-violation.
UPDATE
Warsaw Community Schools immediately removed the innapropriate nativity scene. We thank the school for understanding the need to protect its students’ rights.Northern Indiana Atheists is a nonprofit established to fight state/church violations on a local level and defend the rights of atheists and other marginalized communities across Northern Indiana.
Membership is open to atheists and our allies who share our vision for a government that represents all citizens equally and our passion for serving our community. Your membership and donations amplify our voice and makes our impact even stronger. Become a member today at NorthernIndianaAtheists.com.