Christmas Field Trip Sparks Controversy
By: KNWA News via KARK, Little Rock
Updated: November 19, 2012
Photo by 1965 United Feature Syndicate
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1965 United Feature Syndicate
A field trip to see A Charlie Brown Christmas touches a nerve with some parents.
Some teachers at Terry Elementary in Little Rock sent a letter to parents, offering to shuttle kids to see a staged version of the perennially popular play held at a local church.
Kids whose parents are not religious can opt out but that itself could be an issue for non-believers. Little Rock lawyer Anne Orsi says this also goes beyond the separation of church and state.
" The parents that we know in this this situation are reluctant to speak up because they are concerned about their kids being singled out and bullied," says Orsi.
Shamar Stokes has a child at the school. He says he sees both sides of this issue. "(It isn't) right that they got that little religious they got in there...ain't right. But i wouldn't have a problem with my child going to see Charlie Brown."
The church did not grant us an on camera interview and the teacher from Terry that is part of the Christmas show did not return calls seeking comment.
The Little Rock School District says it does not endorse or encourage any particular faith or religious activity.
The parent who raised her concern about her child gave us this statement, "I think church and school should be kept completely separate at all times."
A field trip to see A Charlie Brown Christmas touches a nerve with some parents.
Some teachers at Terry Elementary in Little Rock sent a letter to parents, offering to shuttle kids to see a staged version of the perennially popular play held at a local church.
Kids whose parents are not religious can opt out but that itself could be an issue for non-believers. Little Rock lawyer Anne Orsi says this also goes beyond the separation of church and state.
" The parents that we know in this this situation are reluctant to speak up because they are concerned about their kids being singled out and bullied," says Orsi.
Shamar Stokes has a child at the school. He says he sees both sides of this issue. "(It isn't) right that they got that little religious they got in there...ain't right. But i wouldn't have a problem with my child going to see Charlie Brown."
The church did not grant us an on camera interview and the teacher from Terry that is part of the Christmas show did not return calls seeking comment.
The Little Rock School District says it does not endorse or encourage any particular faith or religious activity.
The parent who raised her concern about her child gave us this statement, "I think church and school should be kept completely separate at all times."
