Well, I don't know about anywhere else, but here in GA United States, school starts in a couple of weeks. Not everyone, including myself can homeschool and we must send our children to public schools <shudder> As, I was at the Harry Potter opening, I ran into a couple of Pagan mothers and we began talking. A subject we came across was how to keep our kids be comfortable being Pagan as they get older and notice the predjuice. Well, myself being an advocate for Pagan Parenting brought up the "There is a Pagan in your classroom" letter. TO my surprise, they had never heaard of it. In case others had not either this is what it is.

A free letter you can copy off your computer to give to teachers and princples of the school that explains in laymens terms what being a Pagan is. This letter, I can't remember who wrote it, but the name is one it, is copyrighted to distribute and is a wonderful referance to Muggles, (sorry in my Harry Potter moment). I have given it out since my girls started school, and it has helped explain alot, and I have not recieved negitive feedback. I figured this will help alot of parents dreading the first Sabbet that comes around knowing they are going to have to explain what is going on at some time to their kids teachers.

Use this form it is great!! You will not regret it. www.stuorg.iastate.edu/pagan/paganinyourclassroom.htm

   Blessings and good luck,

            Kieran

Thanks Kieran!  Excellent resourse!

But it's not the schools or their staff that I have been having the problem with, it's some of the parents.  Like my neighbor across the street...first she wouldn't let her daughter eat our food.  Then she stopped letting her daughter come in our house...now they havn't played in several months............

 [ send green star]

I too agree that there is far too much prejudice in the world. Thanks for this opportunity to set schools straight. Hopefully if the teachers gain some knowledge, then they could help "educate" the parents.

It's sad that some people can be so barbaric in their beliefs, I do not criticise the religions of others, so why should they feel the need to criticise me for my faith.

I have a question though, why is it that we can have secular schools, catholic schools, christian schools, hindu, buddhist, jewish, muslim, and sikh schools, why are there no pagan or wiccan schools?

Believe it or not even Jedi is a recognized religion in Britain! Yeah, it's true!

Anyway, that's enough from me for today,

Love Morgaen xx

 [ send green star]

I want to thank you so much for sharing this information with us.  We live in a small township that is not very accepting of alot of things.  So the schools are even worse.  But I do have to say that others outside of the community have asked questions about the pentacle and such and after I explained it to them they were more accepting.  They were always going on the Christian's beliefs.....I can even show this letter to others that don't understand.

So thank you again!

 [ send green star]

Thanks!  Wish I had this a few years ago, but I can certainly use it now.

Even something as simple as sports can expose prejudice.  When a parent learned of our faith she didn't want her child participating with ours! 

BB, tina

 [ send green star]

I have used the Pagan in the Classroom article to give to the faculty when my daughter changes schools. Here is a link to another article I found helpful (only for the extreme people).

http://www.ladybridget.com/christian.html

Let me know if the link works.

 [ send green star]

Thank you for this letter.  My daughter is in daycare/preschool and I have been wondering if I should broach this subject and if so, how.  I really appreciate this.

 [ send green star]

I am so excited to see this letter...I was close to tears. I have been dealing with intolerance at my daughters school. I really think this letter will help. She keeps quiet about her beliefs, because she has witnessed others being mistreated for unjust reasons. I am confident this will help make a positive change. Thank you

 [ send green star]

I just joined this group and I read about this letter. Thank you so much. I have 3 children and I have been in a situation where we have basicly been hiding in the closet. My husbands family is Christian and has no idea what we are because we fear that they will treat our children different. They are not open minded people. Anyways I think this will help greatly when my kids start school this year. I am going to send it anonymously so they are aware, but they wont be telling my husbands family about it. Again thank you!

 [ send green star]

I have four children ages 15, 14, 11, and 4.  My older two children don't openly discuss thier beliefs due to the fact that there has been so many unkind parents and children.  We haven't really had much of an issue with teachers as of yet.  My 11 yr old daughter is very spiritual and feels that she shouldn't have to hide but she puts up with alot of "your going to hell" and "you worship the devil" and "tree hugger" type comments.  At first it use to really bother her because certian parents wouldn't let thier kids play with her but now she just looks for those that care about her for who she is.  It's hard in a small "christian" town where Pagans are thought of as evil.  I don't have any answers on how to make life easier, just that it's so important to bring up your child with high self worth and let him/her know that this is probably going to happen so they arent caught off gaurd.  If any one has any ideas or suggestions I am always looking for ideas...

Thanks for listening, as another school year approaches.

Many Blessings

 [ send green star]