FFRF said a community member informed a watchdog that a first-grade teacher at Salem Elementary School was infusing her own religious beliefs into the classroom.
Students had reportedly been given “overtly religious” assignments as part of their class work. Reported examples of assignments included a worksheet headlined, “God Made Me Special,” with the following instructions:
“God created everyone! The Bible says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13). That means you are very special because you were created on purpose by God! Instructions: Complete the drawing to look like YOU! Then write 3 things that make you unique.”
The foundation said another assignment was headlined “Jesus is King!” and required students to “Cut and paste the letters to spell the King’s name: Draw a picture of baby Jesus in the manger.”
In a Facebook page belonging to the teacher, the FFRF said she posted photos of classroom activities, including building nativity puzzles and a read-aloud of the book, “The Christmas Story,” accompanied by a detailed, bright red poster about the religious origins of Christmas.
“It is well settled that public schools may not show favoritism toward or coerce belief or participation in religion,” a spokesperson for the foundation emphasized. “The teacher continually crossed the constitutional line and abused her position to instruct students about her own religious beliefs, turning her public school classroom into a Sunday school. Parents, not public school teachers, have the constitutional right to determine their children’s religious or nonreligious upbringing.”
“On March 4, 2025, I met with the teacher mentioned in the letter and the school principal,” Russell County Schools Superintendent Michael Ford responded. “The situation has been resolved.”
The FFRF said it is a national nonprofit organization whose purpose is to protect the constitutional principle of separation between church and state and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.
The foundation cited certain court cases it applied to this case, which can be viewed below.
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