Two kindergarten teachers came up with the tradition after terriost attacks on September 11, 2001. The teachers figured this was a way to honor the people who lost their lives on that day.
However, the tradition ended earlier this week because of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey.
The ACLU said the practice violated the First Amendment. Ed Barocas, the ACLU of New Jersey’s legal director, wrote a letter to the school and it said the First Amendment prohibits the government from favoring one religion over another, as well as from promoting religion over non-religion.
The letter also said that great care must be taken in order to avoid the appearance of governmental endorsement in schools, especially in elementary schools.
Instead of chancing a lawsuit, the school decided to give in right away, and the principal of the school, Sam Sassano, told parents the tradition would be discontinued.
Barocas praised the school’s decision, and he said that the constitution is clear about schools not being allowed to impose religion on kids. He added it was the parents’ job to decide how to instill religion, and not the job of public schools.
