FL TEACHER BANNED BIBLE FROM 'FREE READING' TIME IN CLASSROOM

[Gingersnap]

FL TEACHER BANNED BIBLE FROM 'FREE READING' TIME IN CLASSROOM

by KEN KLUKOWSKI 5 May 2014, 7:34 AM PDT 3146 POST A COMMENT


Officials at Broward County Public Schools banned a fifth grader from reading the Bible during “free reading” time, according to lawyers from the Liberty Institute who are threatening to sue the school for violating the First Amendment.

Giovanni Rubeo is a fifth-grade student at the school, who had been given a Bible at church as a Christmas gift. It’s his favorite book, so he decided he’d like to read it during the time in class where students are allowed to read anything they choose.
Swornia Thomas is Giovanni’s teacher. On April 8, Thomas told Giovanni he’s not allowed to read the Bible in her class and ordered him to put it away. Giovanni asked her to call his father, Paul Rubeo, about the incident.

Thomas did so, leaving a voicemail that included, “I noticed that he [Giovanni] has a book—a religious book—in the classroom. He’s not permitted to read those books in my classroom.” Rubeo then contacted the school’s principal, Orinthia Dias, who brought in the school’s legal department. None of them are willing to acknowledge that Giovanni has a constitutional right to read the Bible.

So Rubeo retained Liberty Institute to assert Giovanni’s First Amendment rights. Liberty Institute has now sent a demand letter to Broward County Public Schools and is holding a public event this afternoon at the federal courthouse in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

“Banning religious books like the Bible violates Giovanni’s civil rights to religious free speech and free exercise,” said Hiram Sasser, Liberty Institute Director of Litigation. “The school’s actions exemplify the hostility to religion that the U.S. Supreme Court has condemned.”

“We expect Broward County Public School officials to resolve this unfortunate incident quickly and amicably,” says Liberty Institute Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys. “Absent such an apology and assurance that students in Broward County Public Schools may read religious books like the Bible during free reading times, our client is prepared to take legal action.”

Watching the news clip, some parents don't understand their children's rights and others seem to think a violation of this kind is something to work out between the parents and the teacher - kind of like a hairstyle issue.

I'm amazed that every year poorly educated teachers try to impose their own views of church and state separation on students. I'm also amazed that every year teachers impose their own sexual impulses on students.

Maybe they could have an in-service before every school year that at least covers these two topics.

Breitbart

[Celeste Chalfonte]

That's just stupid. Either it's free reading or it's not. If it's not, then have books in the classroom from which the kids can choose, and tell them to leave their personal books at home.

With all due respect to the excellent and dedicated teachers who do exist, this is an example of why there is a stereotype that "those who can't do, teach."

[Lanie]

I've actually seen the ACLU get involved in stuff like this. They say that people are misinterpreting the laws. I agree.

[RobJohnson]

I would like to see every student show up reading this book during the free reading time.

[Celeste Chalfonte]

I would like to see every student show up reading this book during the free reading time.

Plus ça change.... My senior year in high school, all of us rebels carried this one:

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