Nassau County School District
Press Release
Dr. John L. Ruis, Superintendent of Schools
February 17, 2015 12:34 p.m.
Upon consultation with legal counsel and review of legal advisories, the Nassau County School District has taken the position that a student’s use of the phrase “God Bless America” during the morning announcements at Yulee High School does not violate the Constitution of the United States. We feel that the complaint filed on behalf of another student through the American Humanist Association should not supersede the right of other students to use the phrase, as it does not promote any religious denomination and is commonly used as an expression of patriotism.
This issue was narrowly focused on the use of the phrase during the morning announcements, which are broadcast school wide. The student was then instructed and advised to follow the scripted announcements during the broadcasts. There has certainly not been any other application to the limited open forum provided for student expression, interactions or activities at the school. In this matter, the principal’s actions were directed by the superintendent and concerns regarding the disposition of this occurrence should be directed to the superintendent.
Incidents of this nature and related complaints are presented in schools where many of us think the response is obvious. Unfortunately, the seemingly obvious response sometimes turns litigious. Regardless of any personal beliefs, we feel strongly that our duty is to protect the rights of all students and it is imperative for the school district to seek proper legal counsel on such matters before determining a path of policy and/or directive that pertains to schools throughout the district. Our intent during this process has been to weigh and seek to establish the rights for all students under our jurisdiction and authority.
We are confident in the legal counsel that our school board attorneys have provided in this circumstance. Our hope is that the phrase “God Bless America” will continue to ring in the halls of Congress, in our stadiums, in our arenas, in the halls of our schools and, most importantly, in the hearts of our children.
I think I speak for many in our community when I say I really don’t give a crap if you say “God bless America” in the high school or any place else. We just want you to stop talking about it and get back to work.
First of all we are not going to stop talking about it period. God blessed us with this beautiful country. GOD BLESS AMERICA. I hope u hear this everyday for the rest of your life. Evidently you aren’t working cause your responding to this story.
I will stand behind the student that said GOD BLESS AMERICA . It is the right thing to say. Because God has blessed as all.
you, dear sir are part of the problem. “Apathy and evil. The two work hand in hand. They are the same, really…. Evil wills it. Apathy allows it. Evil hates the innocent and the defenseless most of all. Apathy doesn’t care as long as it’s not personally inconvenienced.”
JAKE THOENE
I genuinely hope that you do NOT “speak for many”.
Yes!!!
God bless the school district for pursuing this matter.
mikespino – no one has stopped working and the only reason this is being addressed is because it was taken outside of our district and propelled into the hands of national organizations as well as the national media. We, the citizens of Nassau County did not ask for this disruption, it was forced on us. In case you did not know, Mrs Drake has been receiving death threats and nasty emails from all over the nation. This was a serious matter for all of us to work through. Sorry we have taken so long to correct this and sorry we disturbed your sleep.
This is great…We all have rights, i respect this, however for this young man to be disciplined for saying “GOD BLESS AMERICA” was nonsense….I’m glad that Nassau Co. school system has decided to uphold this young mans’ and many others their Constitution rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religious beliefs. ….
That’s the big misunderstanding this young man was never punished…. This was blown way out of portion and the fact that Mrs.drake has had to go threw not only ugly and nasty phone calls and emails. She also had to deal with media stocking her at her own home were she has a husband and three beautiful children. Your home is supposed to be your safe place not somewhere you try to avoid because you have news people sitting on your front porch stocking you. And as far as I am concern sham on the people who filled the stupid compliant over Mrs.drake and instead of going directly to her with the problem. I do believe had that been done correctly none of this would be happening…
Kathy i firmly believe as you do we as AMERICANS have allowed every other nation come here allowed them to change our national language and change how we pray or honor our GOD. if we do not stand up for our own rights how will we find AMERICA it will no longer be a country of pride and honor for every third rate country has come here yes i want them to have THE AMERICAN DREAM but earnn it by livivg as we have . sorry but if i want to speak Spanish ii will move to mexico of where ever i wish to speak the native lingo. i see now that my grandchildren are having to take Spanish and french as a requiered study and yet the spanish people living next dorr can hardly speak English and the are not even required to study English until jr high ? what ??? but yes i stand by your side .
It is a good thing to see someone standing up for what is right in this country.
Good move!
“Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that which is God’s”. The first amendment was written to keep government out of religion, but now we seem to be saying we want government back in?
– Gov’t out of Religion…. not religion out of Gov’t How is allowing someone to express a longstanding phrase, “God Bless America” putting gov’t in religion? When the gov’t starts to dictate how we do/do not worship, then we have an issue… That is from top down.. expression of a personal belief as it relates to your world is from the bottom up and assures the broadest freedoms for us all. This “politically correct speech” we have today limits everyone’s freedoms.
In regards to YHS “controversy”, I would love some clarification:
Was the full comment, made by the student at the end of the announcements, in fact, “God bless America and protect us all” ? If that was the complete version of what was said, why is it being shortened to simply “God bless America” in all the news coverage and now, this statement released by Dr. John L. Ruis, Superintendent of Schools? Does the second part of the off-script remark change anything? Does the fact that the second part of the remark has been left out matter? Why would someone purposefully exclude part of the statement against which the complaint was made? Does the accuracy, or lack there of, mean anything to the dialogue surrounding the issue?
to take in order,
No it was not,
it wasn’t shortened
It does not.
No it doesn’t matter.
It was purposefully left out.
it doesn’t mean anything
Freedom of speech is the concept that any person can communicate with any other person, or persons, without fear of unwarranted governmental restriction or censorship. Any government intervention or restriction must be specific, and have a defined purpose beyond simple censorship. It is a concept integral to liberal democracies, and indeed Western civilization. The restriction of this right is essential to totalitarian regimes.
The young man who used the phrase was never “disciplined” or punished in any way by anyone. This is important because the principal has gotten much criticism from the inaccurate report.
Please God, bless America!
If we let the non-believers take GOD out of our country we are doomed. Thank you Nassau County School Board and Dr. John Ruis for protecting our rights.
yes AMEN stay with it thank you
Thank you Dr. Ruis! Thank you legal advisors! It is past time to STOP pandering to the 1 or 2 offended by shackling the freedoms of the majority. The interpretation of one’s demand to “not be offended” by anything, anywhere, anytime has become absurb to the point of insanity. It’s time to promote individual freedom of speech again as the founding fathers intended as with all of their genius tennents of our great nation. It is the “FIRST” Ammendment for a reason. GOD BLESS AMERICA and restore her to glory as your faithful servants.
All the discussion reminds me of my often recited desire to place the following on my vehicle: “I Am Offended That You Are Offended!” Truly, it is ridiculous that we (majority) have allowed the squeaky wheels to be oiled while the ENGINE is ignored.
Praise God! God Bless America and God Bless you Dr. John Ruis for not backing down!
This is funny. Was the student punished who said it? Was the students punished who called their organization punished? What are we looking for here folks a few pounds of flesh? Something I think we are forgetting–they are students (KIDS), they do some inappropriate stuff at times. This kind of goes with the territory of being a kid. It is my feeling that all the students who were involved in this have learned a very valuable lesson in life. I think they have come to understand just how words and actions can have a devastating impact on everyone. Would punishment help to re enforce that lesson–NO, my guess if a mulligan was offered the outcome would be different. It is truly a shame that all the adults have had to take so much national abuse over this. Fox picked this story up and aired it not because it was overly newsworthy, but it fit their agenda and bottom line felt it would increase the ratings News networks ( all of them ) don’t take into consideration the impact such a story will have on the locals involved. Mike as far as “not giving a crap”— I think you should really rethink that statement —They are men and women in battle today and far too many who have died in the past for the simple reason they “gave a crap” about the right to say such things. Yulee demonstrated they stood strong for what they believe in and everyone should be nothing but proud for all those who did, and yes, some adults unfortunately had to pay a price for this and that is sad. We are lucky to be in a country that the rights those at home are defending, are also being defended by those who, as you read this, are physically fighting to save those very same rights
I want to remind the humanists of two things. First, public schools did not come about until the early 60’s. Prior to, schools were Christian schools; praying, pledging allegiance to our God and even curriculum was filled with right and wrong principles from the Holy Bible. Saying this, my second reminder to humanists and atheists is this. Since taking Christian principles from the schools, many have deteriorated to no return. Our status worldwide has dwindled in many areas of academia. With these reminders, why have you targeted Christian (public) schools the past 55 years, to spread your religion? If you have determined that your way of belief is right, then open your own schools, start your own school system. I am sure it will be successful but please stop trying to hi-jack schools that have been built on the Christian faith in this country. Good job Nassau County Schools, God Bless all the staff!
Our county owes Dr Ruis much appreciation for making our schools the envy of most districts in the state (and nation). His leadership and insistence that students be well prepared to be productive and responsible citizens is guided by his intelligence, courage, faith, and common sense; traits too often missing in education today.
Please thank him for standing up for truth despite hostile and negative political pressure.
Finally someone had the guts to stand up for what is right & for what our country was founded upon. Thank you John Ruis for making us all proud. I hope there will be many more “John Ruis’s” who will take a stand for what is right for the Land of the Free!
Thank you, Dr. Ruis and the School Board of Nassau County!
It is honorable to recognize our students’ right to free speech and to call on the benefactor of our great country to continue to bless us. Indeed, God Bless America!
Thank God for this victory!! Christians stand up and let your voices be heard!!! God bless America and all our leaders!! My prayer is God will raise up some godly leaders for our nation!!!
i believe that it is our right to sing praise to our country and our nations flag. we should also pray in our schools tho we are and have been giving away OUR RIGHTS because they may offend another s . well they left their country because we were better than where they had left. not us going to theirs. if we went to their country we would have to speak their language. we would have to pray to their gods . we would live by their rules or we may face death if we did not . our brand of English is fast becoming a second language . yes we are a nation of mixed races ,creeds,beliefs that was how we were formed . from our very beginning we praised our country and had god that we were proud to call ours but sadly we have take god from our courts and from our money because it of fends others but they surly want us to send them billions of our money to help support them .mmm not long ago and coming soon we will be facing another shut doen our goverment but we will promise billions of our money for their support. mmm try running your home like our government is being run. . . believe me or not call businesses and try it . i among so many others have defended our rights to watch them thrown away . as we grew up did we not pray did we not praise our country she was and still is something to be proud of if we stand for our rights . each one of us has and may still have family that has fought and many gave their lives for our nation for it to become this . I BELIEVE IN MY AMERICA WILL YOU STAND WITH ME oh if you would not care to stand with me there are buses trains and planes leaving daily to let you go back to the country you came from make them change to be what you want . SO DO I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD SING PRAISE FOR OUR COUNTRY IN SCHOOLS NAH I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE SUNG IN EVERY GATHERING OF OUR PEOPLE AND WE SHOULD PRAY A PRAYER TO OUR GOD .
sorry i grew just a bit excited over OUR NATION being treated as second rate. we are not nor have we ever been second rate. if some one wishes to come to america and work for the AMERICAN DREAM then i will gladly work with and help all i can for them to achieve this dream. i have fought for it and am still fighting for it. . as i travel around i see a mixture of races and many different languages. i try to learn some of their language but i am not giving up mine. . Yes i am on this fight for AMERICA kick , i was raised fighting for my country and my god .
please take a look at some of the laws some have run from. take a woman that looks at another man can be druug into the town square and every one can throw stones at her until she is dead/ or if you pray to a god that is not ALLAH you can be tortured and then beheaded . if a man does not have a beard of a certain lenght he can be killed for it . yes i understand leaving such places and yes i understand running across a river to get to AMERICA believe me i would to . but i would want the AMERICA i came to . but i know there are those who wish otherwise. well i know that there are those saying SHUT UP ALREADY but all i can ask is if you still believe inn America join my hands and lets defend our rights . in the coming elections of our nation study each one you think is best and lets vote for what we feel is better than what we have in office now yesyour vote does count and it is your right lets bring america home again
Hmmm…. well this little incident seems to have stirred up some deep emotions. I certainly do not believe the child is to blame for anything, and I think the school has the best of intentions. However, the comments posted here by adults do seem a bit zealous and one sided. I completely support this child’s right, or anyone’s, to freely state there opinions and beliefs. Your welcome to stand on the sidewalk and sing god bless America all day long, or quote to friends, family, acquaintances etc. That is your right. As would be your right to stand out there and preach that god does not exist. The issue we have at the school is that it is a public institution, a state institution. The Yulee school is not in the business of promoting god or the opposite that God does not exist ….or any particular god. The problem is by using the public address system and messaging the whole school you have created a moment when it would be easy to believe what is coming through the PA is what the school is sanctioning. They after all control whatever is broadcast. If your position is that we should allow the school to finish it’s daily message with “God bless America” I would ask the same parents if they would be happy if the ending salutation said something like. “let’s all work harder as there is no God to help America” Now perhaps I have used an extreme example but I hope you see the point. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Anyway, that is my opinion. There is no harm done here, no one to blame, God bless America is an endemic phrase in our society I think we all realize that, but we have a secular public school system and it should stay that way. Keep God in your heart and home but leave him out of the classroom.
Better yet, in my opinion, would be, “God bless America and bless everyone in the world.”