6115.11
Instruction
Graduation Exercises - Prayer
The Board believes that
completion of the requirements for a high school diploma from the public
schools of the district is an achievement for the community as well as the
individual. Therefore, the Board shall recognize that achievement in a publicly
celebrated graduation exercise.
Accordingly, appropriate
graduation programs shall be planned by the administration. The date of the
graduation ceremony shall be as indicated in the Board approved school
calendar.
The District’s
valedictorian(s), salutatorian(s) or others at the discretion of the Building
Principal or his/her designee may be permitted to speak as part of the school’s
planned graduation program. All such speeches shall be reviewed and approved in
advance by the Building Principal or his/her designee.
All students in good
standing who have successfully completed the requirements for graduation may
participate in the graduation exercises.
(cf. 6111 - School
Calendar)
(cf. 6115 - School
Ceremonies and Observances)
(cf. 6146 - Graduation
Requirements)
(cf. 6141.2 - Separation
of Church and State)
(cf. 6141.21 - Religion in
the Public Schools)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-16a Silent meditation.
10-15c Discrimination in public
schools prohibited.
Lee v. Weisman, 112 S. Ct. 2649 (1992).
Jones
v. Clear Creek Independent School District, 977 F. 2d 963 (5th Cir.1992).
Harris v. Joint School District, 41 F.3d 447 (9th Cir.
1994).
American Civil Liberties Union of NJ v. Black Horse Pike Regional Board of
Education, 84 F.3d 1471 (3rd Cir. 1996).
Policy adopted: September 14, 2004 EAST
HADDAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Moodus,
Connecticut