Should public schools celebrate religious holidays? Easter and Passover are just around the corner. Is it educational for public schools to celebrate these holidays, or unconstitutional? (opinion).

YES From kindergarten to high school, I've been fortunate enough to be exposed to a wide array of cultures. This often included participating in the religious holidays celebrated by my classmates: everything from Easter egg hunts to menorah lightings.

Though Creationism in science classes and school-wide prayer have no place in public schools, coming in contact with holy celebrations from around the world can promote a culture consciousness that is irreplaceable. As long as several religious holidays are given equal standing in classrooms and administrators take care not to advocate any particular religion or induce devotion or worship of any kind, there should be no reason for a church vs. state conflict.

In almost all cases, culture and religious holidays are inextricably bound. Students should never be required to "check their culture at the door." By forbidding them to participate in religious festivities, schools would only succeed in depriving students from interacting with traditions and backgrounds other than their own.

Living in a multicultural society like the United States is an advantage that most people around the world do not have. Why should we scoff at the opportunities that are available to us because of that diversity? Taking the steps to understand other cultures, such as participating in religious holidays, is instrumental in fostering true tolerance and political correctness should not get in the way of letting students experience that.

---VIDHYA MURUGESAN, 17 West Windsor, N.J.

NO Although I am quite religious, I feel there is no need to openly celebrate religion in school. By celebrating religious holidays, the school system is breaking apart a diverse body of students and making them unequal.

Like with anything else, there will always be "the odd kid in the class" who doesn't celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, or even Kwanzaa. How will those students feel when the class is cutting out construction paper Christmas trees? Or making menorahs? Or even worse, how will the other kids react to their different beliefs? Although it may not be right, it is human nature that many people pick on others for not believing what they do. By openly celebrating holidays in school, teachers are setting up these vulnerable children who may not fall into the majority religious beliefs.

Not only does celebrating religious holidays in school cause disruptions in school, but it can also cause disruptions at home. Some parents may not want their children exposed to certain religions. This practice may not be looked highly upon, but it is any parent's right to make these decisions, If they do not want their child, especially a young child, learning about any certain religion, then that exposure should not happen in our public schools.

The Constitution separates church and state for a reason. It is there to protect the people and maintain equality. If we begin to start breaking apart the Constitution and making exceptions for special holidays, what rights will we start to lose next?

--KATIE SMITH, 17 Cheshire, Conn.