I have a question for anyone who has young children in public school.

[napi21]

My granddaughter is making her First Communion on Sunday. She attends the public school in her town. I want to get her a gift, and I was thinking about a small necklace, maybe a locket, heart or cross.

There has been so much insanity in the schools about not saying prayers, or wearing religious symbols of any kind. What do you think the response would be to a small girl (age 9) if she wore a small gold cross on a chain to school? I sure don't want to cause any problems for her!

[jeanarrett]

1. My kids all wear them and we aren't even especially

"religious" anymore. We don't attend church regularly, but we all believe in God. They just like to wear them. Makes them feel "protected" or something like that.

[ewagner]

2. From my experience

the small, cross necklace is very common....not at all unacceptable...btw: on boys and girls....

[Maddy McCall]

3. There's absolutely no problem with that.

I've yet to hear of a case where a public school caused trouble for any student wearing a small cross, unless there is some dress-code policy that specifically forbids all types of jewelry.

[Dora]

4. Get her the jewelry.

For goodness' sake, don't worry about a problem where there isn't one. You're not getting her a coat with a giant crucifix appliqued onto the back. You're getting her a chain with a charm in the shape of a cross.

If she doesn't want to wear it, she'll keep it in her jewel box and pull it out for special occasions.

In fact, if it's a valuable piece of jewelry, perhaps that's what it should be for - special occasions.

[etherealtruth]

5. I have two still in grade school ...

They wear the occasional crucifix AND they wear symbols from Islam ...It has never been an issue (or even commented upon). The other parents I know have had the same experience.

Hope her first Communion is wonderful!

[Kerrytravelers]

6. You can express yourself in any way that doesn't impeed on other's rights.

So, wearing a cross is perfectly fine. However, to wear a t-shirt saying "Follow Jesus or die" may not be ok. :)


I don't have kids. But, I'm in public school education.

[Bridget Burke]

7. Please, don't believe the propaganda.

There has been NO insanity in US schools about discreet religious symbols--or Christian symbols of any kind.

And why do people hark back to those Golden Days when every schoolday began with a prayer? Back in semi-rural Texas, in the 1950's, we began the day with the Pledge & My Country Tis of Thee.

[napi21]

9. HEY, I remember those days! Except I attended Catholic school.

I remember being told how lucky we were that our parents were paying for us to go the this Catholic school, because the kids over at the local public school had to recite the "wrong version" of the Our Father prayer every day.

Thanks to everyone who responded to me. My biggest concern isn't based upon principle but on concern for my granddaughter. I've heard so many absolutely stupid dicidions made by school officials in recent years. ie: 1st graders being suspended for having a keychain with a 1" plastic gun on it sticks in my mind. I don't think they are really trying to fight against religion as much as against somple common sense. THERE ISN'T ANY ANYMORE!!!!!!

[Bridget Burke]

11. I went to Catechism class on Saturdays....

The only Catholic school was a bit far for every day. And perhaps a bit pricey for a widow with 3 kids.

There were prayers at rare public school events--mostly football games. I do remember they said the Our Father WRONG! And they never said the Hail Mary. But there was NO regular prayer.

I don't know your ethnic background, but they make some nice Celtic crosses...

[napi21]

13. Trust me, "I" would love one of those!!!!!

My greatgrandfather was Irish, and although that's been very diluted over the generations, I'm still very proud of my small Irish heritage. I don't know though. Although my son still can claim a smidgeon of that heritage, he usually doesn't pay any attention, and my DIL (who left him for another guy about 1 1/2 yrs ago) is Slovak. She always admired a lot of celtic things, but I don't know about this one. I suspect my Granddaughter wouldn't have any idea what it really was.

[LizW]

8. No problem

You grandaughter's school probably has a dress code that addresses jewelry. Ask her parents to check it out and let you know.

Generally, religious jewelry is okay, as is any jewelry, so long as it's not dangerous (like a long, hanging chain that could get caught on things, or long, dangly earrings, or loud, rattly bracelets) or disruptive.

What is considered disruptive is highly subjective. Crosses, or stars of David, or other religious symbols are almost always considered just fine.

But if you want to be absolutely sure, check the school's handbook or dress code.

[woodsprite]

10. I don't think they'd say anything.

My son wore a cross he made for himself (5yo) at Easter and my 12yo daughter wears one that I got her for Xmas and she's never mentioned that anyone has said anything to her about it.

Our daughter gets confirmed on May 15th. I bought her one of those italian charm bracelets. They have expandable links in them, similar to a stretchy metal watch band. I bought her a charm with her birthstone (which is the week before confirmation), one charm with her initial, and one with an engraved cross to commemorate her officially joining the church.

I figured it was a nice touch that it was something we could keep adding to each year.

[noonwitch]

12. I don't think you'll have a problem with a cross necklace

If you were a pagan and giving her a pentacle to wear, the school might throw a fit-it's happened in the Detroit area and parents have successfully sued over it, when a school district tried to send a kid home for wearing one.

If there is a problem, sue them. That's what a fundie would do, and should do. Kids should be allowed to express their religious beliefs in school, it's the teachers and administrators who should never advocate for a particular religion.

[in_cog_ni_to]

14. Oh no. They can wear jewelry and clothes with religious symbols.

The school just can't call for classroom prayer or public prayer. I see kids at our school all the time wearing religious garb. A necklace would be nice. I like the subtlety of jewelry, but that's just me. :)

[seabeyond]

15. this is where the right is abusing............they are wrong

a cross would be a beautiful gift for your child. and a cross will not cause any problem in school. that is not what it is about. and the fuckin right to have done what they have to bring the discussion all the way down to can you give your granddaughter a gift of a cross, or will she get in trouble in school, jsut makes me the maddest. that is sad

rush started saying in the 90's god isnt allowed to be spoken in schools. everyone started fanning the flame. niece keeps saying it cause right wing father put it in her head. asked her last week, have you heard the word god in your public school. yes she says. was that person taken down. was there any problem. no she says

it is the sick of the right that they create this for all of us to figure out now, and heal

[enki23]

16. it'll probably garner her a little extra favor

.

[eallen]

17. Your daughter also is free to pray in school...

Her doing so, in fact, is protect expression. The ACLU has defended students' religious expression. It's illegal only for the school to sponsor, participate, or sanction that prayer. There is a wide legal difference between your daughter, who his an individual, and the public school, which is a branch of the state.

Please, don't believe the propaganda of the religious reich. There has been no attempt to remove religious expression from the public square, but only to make the state stand neutral.