GUIDANCE FOR HIGH SCHOOL BACCALAUREATE
Date:
02/19/2010
City:
Sacramento, CA The purpose of this article is to assist Christian student clubs, youth pastors, churches and ministerial associations in sponsoring and producing a baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors. What is it? . . .One court succinctly described a typical baccalaureate service as “generally intended to honor the high school’s graduates, and characteristically included speeches, prayer, and songs with a Christian theme, organized and presided over by church pastors or other community religious leaders. As with the diploma ceremony, the service took place in the school auditorium and was attended by most of the seniors clad in caps and gowns, family members of these graduates, and school officials.” Verbena United Methodist Church v. Chilton County Board of Education, 765 F.Supp. 704, 705-706 (M.D. Ala. 1991) For a discussion of the origin and traditional elements of a baccalaureate service, see, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baccalaureate_service. • Dictionary Definition (from http://www.merriam-webster.com) Baccalaureate: a: a sermon to a graduating class b: the service at which this sermon is delivered Who does it? Sponsoring Organization: Due to court decisions which limit official school participation in religious activities, a baccalaureate service must be sponsored, promoted and produced by a private entity. As such, we recommend, in order of preference, the following groups to sponsor a baccalaureate: 1. Student religious club There are advantages to using a Christian club as opposed to an outside entity. Approved school clubs may be granted access to the auditorium without charge, depending on school district policy for making facilities available. In addition, a club may be able to run the event during lunch or right after school. Normally, this opportunity would not be available to outside sponsoring organizations. Moreover, the club can have the baccalaureate service announced at school and can also put up posters in the same manner as other clubs. In the event that the high school does not have a Christian club, interested students should contact the school administration and apply for club status. If students meet with resistance from the administration, please have the students contact the PJI Legal Department for assistance. Where is it held? Venue: It is important that the sponsoring organization reserve the appropriate building as soon as possible. It is our counsel that an application for renting the school gym or other auditorium be submitted in February. Under the Civic Center Act a school must rent out facilities as they are available to groups, whether they are religious or not. As such, a church or ministerial association should be allowed to rent. In addition, a school’s Christian club should be able to rent or otherwise use school facilities on the same basis as other school clubs. It is also possible to conduct a baccalaureate service in a church auditorium. The upside is a possible reduced fee or even free use of the facility. The downside is that fewer people may attend, seeing it as an event limited to a particular church or denomination. Who pays for it? Although a public school is obligated to grant access of facilities for the Christian club like any other club, or rent facilities to a church or ministerial association in the same way that it rents to other outside groups, the school will not pay for the service. The sponsoring organization will need to pay for rental, speaker’s fees, sound technicians, etc. As such, be prepared to have money for a rental deposit as soon as the application is approved. Also, it is likely that the sponsor will need to show proof of insurance. It is our counsel that, even if the school does not require proof of insurance, insurance be obtained for the event. What if the school says “no”? Legal Roadblock: If the school district raises concerns about a violation of the Constitution (e.g., Establishment Clause or separation of church and state) please contact PJI’s Legal Department for assistance. Of course, it is best to contact PJI early rather than wait until a few weeks before the baccalaureate service is scheduled. The school should not require a list of songs, texts, or script of the prayers or speeches. Remind them that this is a private event. On the application to reserve an auditorium, it is recommended that a general description is used. For example, “Baccalaureate ceremony to honor seniors. Program will be comprised of several musical performances and speeches.” Who should be invited? Invite seniors, their family and friends, school board members, administrators and faculty, students and the community in general. What does it look like? A baccalaureate can take a number of forms. Below are three samples formats. Feel free to make any format you feel is best. Possible themes can vary (e.g., Victory Over the Past, Hope in the Future) Formats of Services: Approximately 45-60 minutes not counting senior march. Contemporary Program: 1. Seniors march into auditorium wearing cap and gown to music. (5-10 depending on number of participants) Student Driven Program: 1. Open seating without cap and gown. Students dress up. Traditional Program: 1. Seniors march into auditorium wearing cap and gown to music. (5-10 depending on number of participants) Misc. Printed Materials: Usually a simple, printed program is handed to attendees as they enter the auditorium. The names of the seniors can be a part of the program. In addition, put a small disclaimer at the bottom of the program that states: “This is an event sponsored and produced by [insert name of group, e.g., Screaming Eagles Christian Club, or The Gotham City Ministerial Association] and is not a function of, or officially endorsed by, the [insert school, e.g., the XYZ School District or Roosevelt High School] Food: It is customary to have light refreshments available at the end of the service. For example, coffee, punch, cake, fruit, hors d'oeuvres Persons from the School: School board members, teachers, administrators and other employees can participate as private citizens if they are invited. For example, they can address the class or offer a prayer. Bibles: A table with free Bibles for graduating seniors can be set up. Who can help me with this? Warren Willis Got Your Bacc – Community Baccalaureate Services _______________________________________________________ |
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