How do I stop parents from harassing students? see details?

Question

My dauhgter is a senior in high school. She is on the drumline for her school and a section leader. Every year that she has been there they have always said a prayer before band competitions. Only people who wanted to participate would. Last year a new student and band member has come to the school and it has been one drama scene after another. This girls parents are the sue hungry people I know. They are trying to stop my daughter from praying before the competitions and I don't think she should have to do that. Just as it is there right not to pray , I feel it is hers to carry on a tradition and be able to show her faith . If they decide to try and sue over something like this , what can I do? Trust me I would not be writing this if this all wasn't coming to a head. These harassed a student last year , go in his face and screamed profanities at him because they thought he was pushing a pit instrument to hard that there daughter was helping with . Please help me and no smart a's pleas

Side note it is not me having my daughter do this it is her choice. She is more spiritual than i am by all means. The school hand book does state that prayer is acceptable at the band competitions as long as the are student lead. Band competions are not held at the home high school and in most cases are held at college stadiums. She does not force anyone to join her and the ones who do not are not frowned upon they are all friends . The only one who has the problem are the girls parents.
Today all the boys int he PIT are being charged with harassment against this girl. They are not to talk to her at all even if she asks a question.

Answer 1

These are the parents that every coach/band leader/ teacher dreads!

They will continue to make a rucus about anything and everything. Your daughter has a right to practice her religion, and students have a right to prayer (it cannot be forced upon them by the administration or taught - but it CAN be student lead).

Unfortuneately - these parents have the right to be a**holes. The best thing for you and your daughter is to get with the band director and speak to him/her about the situation with the parents and the constant conflict over the daughter. If the parents come near your daughter - file a restraining order against them. These type of people will continue to make everyone in a hundred yard perimeter of the miserable.
You might also ask the band director to assure that the daughter of the looney parents be escorted by an adult onto and off the field and that she be with an adult member of the staff at all times -- this will prevent accusations by the parents that child is being harmed by other students.

I "know" these kinds of parents - in all of my coaching career I have come up against a few just like them and nothing dissuades their behavior unless their kid leaves your program, administration bans the child, or they die. They are miserable people in general.

Answer 2

Well, first of all, those parents have a right to sue if they feel like their daughter is being pressured into a school- or band-sponsored prayer.

Second, if they decided to sue, then they would sue the school and not any individual on the team. There isn't anything you can do if they did decide to sue, because they would be in the right for fighting against an illegal school prayer.

Third, they would sue for a declarative action, asking the judge to force the school to not sponsor a prayer, and it's highly unlikely that they'd ever see a dime.

Personally, I think that religion should be practiced at home and at church, and left out of school and band functions. There's just no place for it in a school, which is by it's very nature supposed to be welcoming and inclusive to everyone. As far as parents being pushy and crazy about their kids' extra-curricular activities, what else is new? I don't think that has anything to do with prayer or with the band, it seems like it's just the power trip that those parents are on.

Answer 3

If it is a public school, then there is ample precedent.

They can sue in that case, and the 1st Amendment is certainly on their side.

As someone else mentioned, I am sure you can find a law firm that will take the case, maybe even pro bono, in order to use you and your daughter to further their own agenda despite losing time and time again.

I disagree withthe poster thought thta said this will hurt her chancs of getting in to college.

I think a college essay abot the experience of trying to understand the rights associated wtih the 1st Amendment as it applies to school activities will be a great topic, regardless of whether I agree with her position or not.

Why not ask her to pray on her own before attending the the event, since no one else seems to be joining her anyway?

Answer 4

Concerned parents who wish to keep the tradition should ban together and consult a lawyer....the consultation fee is worth it and split among concerned parents it should be a nominal cost. He or she can advise on the situation. Even if it turns out that the traditional prayer before competitions is discontinued there is nothing that can stop your daughter from praying privately or saying a quiet prayer before the competion gets underway....there is a greater tradition in this country, and that is freedom of religion and it is un-american to prevent someone to worship as they see fit,or not worship at all, as long as they do not infringe apon the rights of another....saying a prayer in private or even in public does not infringe apon another's rights whether they like seeing it or not.
If these adults are harrasing students as you say they are, that is illegal and I would see about stopping it legally even if it means swearing out a complaint with your police department.....adults are not allowed to harrass minors, esp the children of others Good Luck.

Answer 5

Yes, they can stop your daughter from holding prayers at a school event. This has come up in most state courts and in all federal courts. I suggest you pick your battles with them wisely. You could actually harm your daughter's school record, which would cause her a lot of difficulty getting a college education. If it is really that big a deal to you, then your daughter should consider holding the prayers OFF of school property, and completely PRIVATELY for those who wish to join her. Otherwise, enroll her in a religious school.
For your daughter's sake, I hope that you can just let things lie. You could jeopardize your daughter's academic record if you do not.

Answer 6

Wow, ok, fist, ignore about ninety% of what human beings have stated on the following. you're coping with an surprisingly difficult difficulty. actual there are worse our there, yet as a first 365 days instructor, there is not any way all of us has truly prepared you for this until eventually you scholar taught in an same difficulty. it may damage your self-self belief to have those obstacles and can make you experience hopeless because there is not any speedy restore. without understanding your state's rules on particular needs, i can assume that your district is purely too taxed to furnish you with an total-time aide. notwithstanding, a scholar with such extreme ed/ebd (emotionally/ emotionally bevaiourly incapacity) should be recieving facilities. Your first step is to be certain if he has been evaluated. i'm guessing with expulsions, he has. have you ever seen his IEP? you should have. If not, ask admin. Does your college have a behior disease instructor? i'm assuming if this scholar has a useful IEP, that it calls for some one on one time outdoors of the lecture room w/ a psychologist or another behavoir personel. Do you've a mentor instructor? S/he should be able to furnish some perception. i understand a lot time is eaten up purely attempting to stay above water and that is perchance the case with a lot of your coworkers depending on the outline of your college. notwithstanding, the folk you paintings with wonderful understand a thanks to attend for your scholars. discover the single prepared to spend the time to help. finally, do not supply up. there are a kind of equipment on your scholar with psychological studying topics. Your habit scholar can't be dealt with without more desirable certain interest from admin and particular ed.

Answer 7

Since drum line is a school (government) sponsored activity a prayer at the activity is inappropriate. How would you feel if the majority of the members of the team practiced a religion that contradicted yours? You create a situation where the student either is forced to conform to the religious pressure or be excluded. This is simply not right.

Your daughter can pray anytime she wants as prayer does not require the participation of other people. She can have any religious beliefs she wants. She can not as a representative of a government entity (the school) force others to share her religious views as it is a clear violation of the establishment clause.

Please keep your religion out of our government and I will keep our government out of your religion.

Answer 8

If they do sue, the case will not go anywhere.

If your daughter was trying to get others to pray that didn't want to, that would be another story.

In order to sue, they need to claim damages. There are none here.

I would tell them if they have a problem with it, go to an admistrator at the school. If they continue to bother her after than, you should bring it to the adminstrator's attention. It sounds like there are others who feel the same way. There is strenght in numbers, you should all report this to the school.

Answer 9

Go to "ACLJ.ORG" which is The American Center for Law and Justice. They handle some defense of law suits such as this. They are on the religious side. It is Jay Sekulow's law firm. Good luck.

Answer 10

first of all, i have to tell you i am so sorry about this whole situation. its sad that we have such a wonderful country yet people still dont respect others thoughts and opinions. your defence should be that she does have a freedom of religion and that just because a parent says you cant pray doesnt mean you cant...thats so limiting the rights of your poor little daughter..trust me, with faith and hope comes great things