Georgia —
Teachers in the Whitfield County Schools system will not be promoting the explicitly religious See You At The Pole event through official district communication channels, thanks to FFRF’s advocacy.
A district parent reported that a fourth-grade teacher at New Hope Elementary shared a promotional flyer for SYATP via official school communications channels. FFRF learned that the teacher sent the promotional flyer to parents on the school’s “Remind App.” The flyer featured Latin crosses and stated: “Come out to the flagpole and PRAY with us!” FFRF understood that the teacher shared the flyer in her official capacity as a district employee in an effort to remind parents to send their children to the religious event.
“While students are free to participate in SYATP or similar religious events, the district and its teachers may not favor religion by promoting religious events and religious messages through its official communication channels,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote.
After receiving FFRF’s letter, the district sought guidance from legal representative Cory O. Kirby. Kirby confirmed that the district appreciated FFRF bringing the violation to their attention, as well as the action the district had taken in response. “The district has already communicated to all principals that this type of communication and advertisement is inappropriate and should not continue,” Kirby wrote. “District administration will meet with school building administration to reiterate the district’s prohibition against advocating for a particular religious event or theology.”
