We spend a lot of time - way more than I'd like, honestly - discussing all the ways that Pagan students have issues at school. Cases like that of Christopher Turner in Georgia or the Strivelli family are routine around here. This makes it all the more important when a school district does things RIGHT, so I want to share this story from PNC Minnesota. Mind you, it's from back in January, but that makes it no less significant.
Grace Mirick is a fourth-grader in St. Paul, and her mom is a Pagan. Grace wears a pentacle necklace to school, and says "the necklace has a special meaning to her in addition to it being an outward sign of her faith, "I told my friends a story about a Goddess and my mom heard me thought I was ready for the necklace. I was old enough to wear a sign of my faith. I was so excited that I was jumping around. It means a lot to me."
Grace never had any problems at school, until one day when a substitute teacher told her she needed to put the necklace away, tucking it into her shirt, because "things like that should be kept to yourself." Grace's mom immediately contacted Principal Deborah McCain, who took prompt action. McCain told Mrs. Mirick that the substitute would be disciplined, and would not be returning to the school to teach.
While this is an abridged version of the story, it's important to commend both McCain for her same-day action, and young Grace for standing up for herself. It's also a perfect example of how effective communication with educators can be a useful tool in the rights of Pagan students to not just receive equal rights, but to make sure those rights are not infringed upon in the first place.
Wondering about the rights that Pagan students have in public schools? Be sure to check out Your Rights as a Pagan Student.
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Grace Mirick is a fourth-grader in St. Paul, and her mom is a Pagan. Grace wears a pentacle necklace to school, and says "the necklace has a special meaning to her in addition to it being an outward sign of her faith, "I told my friends a story about a Goddess and my mom heard me thought I was ready for the necklace. I was old enough to wear a sign of my faith. I was so excited that I was jumping around. It means a lot to me."
Grace never had any problems at school, until one day when a substitute teacher told her she needed to put the necklace away, tucking it into her shirt, because "things like that should be kept to yourself." Grace's mom immediately contacted Principal Deborah McCain, who took prompt action. McCain told Mrs. Mirick that the substitute would be disciplined, and would not be returning to the school to teach.
While this is an abridged version of the story, it's important to commend both McCain for her same-day action, and young Grace for standing up for herself. It's also a perfect example of how effective communication with educators can be a useful tool in the rights of Pagan students to not just receive equal rights, but to make sure those rights are not infringed upon in the first place.
Wondering about the rights that Pagan students have in public schools? Be sure to check out Your Rights as a Pagan Student.
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
I completely agree that ever one needs to have open communications
with the teachers. My child has had the same problems and I have had the parnets look down on me for the same reason. It drives me crazy that people still have to feel the need to hid who they truly are.
I completely agree that ever one needs to have open communications
with the teachers. My child has had the same problems and I have had the parnets look down on me for the same reason. It drives me crazy that people still have to feel the need to hid who they truly are.