"See You At the Pole" Generates Minimal Controversy This Year

This past Wednesday was the annual "See You At the Pole" event-- during which students around the country (and even in some other countries) join around the school flag pole prior to school  for a short prayer service.  This year the event generated little controversy.  Apparently the most heated issues were raised at an elementary school in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania where, according to the Harrisburg (PA) Patriot-News, the event was held at 8:40, ten minutes before school started. However the flyers that were sent out indicated an 8:50 starting time-- coinciding with the beginning of school. The flyer also contained an "opt-out" form for students who were not going to participate. But apparently the letter went out without the superintendent's approval. Also pickets from the American Atheists carried protest signs at the event, including one which read: "Don's pray in my school! I won't think in your church." In some years, publicity surrounding the event has led to litigation. (See prior posting.)