HomeMy WebLinkAbout2720 Participation in Commencement ExercisesINSTRUCTION
PARTICIPATION IN COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
2720
(also 3720)
Page 1 of 2
A student's right to participate in the commencement exercises of the graduating class
at Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 high schools is an earned privilege. As such,
participation in this ceremony is reserved for those members of the graduating class
who have completed all of the state and local requirements for graduation before the
date of the ceremony. Students who complete their requirements after the date of
commencement exercises will receive their diploma at that time.
Guidelines
Organization and Content of Commencement Exercises
1. The school administration shall exercise plenary control over all aspects of any
graduation ceremony held within the District.
2. The school administration may invite graduating students to participate in high
school graduation exercises according to academic class standing or class officer
status.
a. Any student who, because of academic class standing, is requested to
participate may choose to decline the invitation.
b. Students selected to participate may choose to deliver an address, poem,
reading, song, musical presentation, prayer, or any other pronouncement of their
choosing.
c. The principal shall review and approve the student's address, poem, reading,
song, musical presentation, or any other pronouncement of their choosing prior
to its presentation to the audience attending the graduation ceremony to ensure
that there is no conflict with the Establishment Clause found in the First
Amendment to the United States Constitution, The Idaho Constitution or the laws
of the state of Idaho
3. The printed program for the commencement exercises shall include the following
paragraphs:
• Any presentation by participants of graduation exercises is the private
expression of the individual participants and does not necessarily reflect
any official position of the District, its Board, administration, or employees,
or indicate the views of any other graduates.
• The Board recognizes that at graduation time and throughout the course
of the educational process, there will be instances when religious values,
religious practices, and religious persons will have some interaction with
the public schools and students. The Board, however, does not endorse
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93
INSTRUCTION
2720
(also 3720)
Page 2 of 2
religion, but recognizes the rights of individuals to have the freedom to express
their individual political, social, or religious views, for this is the essence of
education.
Adopted 03 -09 -2005 Reviewed Revised 03 -14 -2007
Legal Reference: United States Constitution — 1s` Amendment
Art. 9, Sec. 6, Idaho Constitution — Religious Test and Teaching in School
Prohibited
I.C. § 33 -1603 Sectarian Instruction Forbidden
I.C.§ 33 -512 Governance of Schools
I.C. § 67 -5909 Acts Prohibited
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93
Participation in Commencement Exercises