New York —
After a bus aide shared religious scripture with students, FFRF corrected the violation, and ensured that students will not be forced to accept Christian literature candy bundles.
A district parent reported to FFRF that on Dec. 20, 2024, a district school bus aide distributed a packet of “Scripture Candy” to students riding the “lizard” bus at Milton Terrace Elementary. The front of the plastic-wrapped packet featured a red stocking with a piece of candy sticking out of it. Emblazoned across the stocking was the text “JESUS Sweetest Name I Know.” The back of the packet featured a drawing of a nativity scene with the biblical story of Jesus’ birth written above it, as well as a cut-out bookmark with numerous biblical references, including a cross and the full biblical text of John 3:16.
“The distribution of candy with religious messaging is coercive and alienating,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote. “Students riding the bus are forced to either take religious literature they don’t want or publicly refuse in sight of other students.”
After FFRF outlined the violations seen on the bus, the district took note, and worked to end the discriminatory practice.
“The district spoke with the bus attendant referenced in your letter and learned that she had engaged in an innocent error by handing out the material you referenced in your letter,” wrote Jeffrey D. Honeywell, legal counsel for the district. “She indicated that she obtained the items at the Dollar Store. She stated she did not notice the religious messages on the back of the packages until the bus was almost at the last student’s house.” The bus aid apologized for the mistake and was told not to hand out any further religious scripture to students.
