Public school graduation to be held in church
By Judie Jacobson
SOUTH WINDSOR-It takes awhile to find it. First, visitors to the South Windsor High School website must click on the “graduation information” link on the left hand side of the page, which brings up a page entitled “Class of 2007 Senior Activities, Dates, Times and Information” site. Then, they must scroll down past information regarding the awards assembly, senior outing, and graduation reception. Next, past details about final exams, graduation rehearsal and something called Operation Graduation Celebration.
Finally, the heading “Graduation Ceremony” appears and there, just below driving directions to The First Cathedral Church in Bloomfield, sits the disclaimer that the South Windsor school system agreed to put up to assuage those who objected to the public school’s decision to hold its graduation ceremonies at the church.
It reads: “The selection of First Cathedral as the site for graduation offers the best facility for our needs at an acceptable cost. The selection of this venue in no way represents an endorsement by the school district of a specific religion or religion in general.”
A similar disclaimer is buried in the graduation information provided on the site of Enrico Fermi High School. Like South Windsor, the Enfield school plans to hold its ceremony at First Cathedral.
Brouhaha sizzles…then fizzles out
When news that two public school systems in Connecticut were planning to hand out diplomas at a church reached the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) late last year, via several complaints from parents, the organization immediately fired off a letter to both districts, citing a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution and asking the schools to alter their plans.
“The establishment clause is meant to prevent establishment of religion,” Connecticut ACLU legal director Renee Redman recently told the Hartford Courant, noting the presence of crosses and other religious symbols in the sanctuary where the ceremonies would be held that are both visible and unable to be removed. “There is no reason why a non-believer, or even a believer, but particularly a non-believer, should have to go and participate in their graduation in a church.”
The ACLU was not the only civil liberties organization to take exception to the schools’ plans.
When the parent of a South Windsor senior complained to the Connecticut Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the office’s regional director David Waren wrote South Windsor’s principal John Dilorio.
“While we understand space limitations…we are troubled by the District’s decision, which compels those of other religious faiths to attend graduation in a highly sectarian environment,” wrote Waren.
“Graduation is a central part of student life and students and their families should be able to attend graduation ceremonies without fear of religious coercion or exclusion. In particular, we are concerned that holding the ceremony at the church sends a message to the students that the school prefers one religion over others, and does not accept or include all students equally. In this context, students of other faiths may feel excluded and less a part of graduation, which should be a personally important and meaningful experience for all students.”
Citing a previous Supreme Court case regarding violation of the Establishment Clause, Waren, noted, “The Court found that for practical purposes graduation is not voluntary, and therefore, the school district ‘compelled attendance and participation in an explicit religious exercise at an event of singular importance to every student.’”
Waren never heard back from Dilorio nor any other representative of the high school or the South Windsor school district.
Not all school administrators agree with the decision of the South Windsor and Enfield high school principals, however.
“I think it is wisest to hold (graduation ceremonies) in a neutral setting. I would be reluctant to have it in a temple or a church,” said Betty Sternberg, former commissioner of the state’s Department of Education, who currently serves as superintendent of the Greenwich school system.
According to Sternberg, there are always options. Greenwich, for example, holds its high school graduation ceremonies outside, as do numerous other Connecticut school districts.
While the ACLU has not ruled out the possibility of litigation, there are no plans to pursue that course of action as yet, at least in part because those who have complained refuse to become plaintiffs in a lawsuit.
“People don’t want to put themselves out there and deal with any sort of backlash,” said Redman.
Comments? Email judiejacobson@jewishledger.com