CREIGHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 14

SCHOOL CEREMONIES

AND OBSERVANCES

The following shall be adhered to regarding required opening exercises and school programs as they pertain to customs and holidays:

A. Each student shall be provided with an opportunity to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance or other patriotic observance each day.

B. Each student in grades four (4) through six (6) shall recite the following passage from the Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."

C. For K-12 programs, each school district and charter school shall set aside at least one (1) minute but not more than two (2) minutes at the beginning of each school day for students to engage in a moment of silence during which students may not interfere with other students' participations. A teacher or other school employee may not suggest the nature of any reflection in which a student may engage during the moment of silence. Each teacher of a class in which a moment of silence occurs pursuant to law shall encourage parents of students in the class to discuss with their children how best to use the moment of silence.

D. Students whose parents have informed the school that they are not to take part in the meditation period or patriotic observances will be expected to observe the courtesy of not disturbing others.

E. When special days or significant events are recognized, it is recommended that appropriate classroom and assembly programs be presented in keeping with the traditional and historical significance of the event or season. A teacher or administrator in any school in this District may read or post in any school copies or excerpts of the following materials:

A. The national motto "In God We Trust."

B. The National Anthem.

C. The Pledge of Allegiance.

D. The Preamble to the Constitution of this state.

E. The Declaration of Independence.

F. The Mayflower Compact.

G. Writings, speeches, documents and proclamations of the founding fathers and the presidents of the United States.

H. Published decisions of the United States Supreme Court.

I. Acts of the United States Congress.

J. The state motto "Ditat Deus," which means "God Enriches."