San Diego school district officials are trying to clear up a controversy surrounding an Arabic language program at Carver Elementary School. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
A substitute teacher blasted the district a few months ago for allowing Somali Muslim students enrolled in Carver's Arabic language program to pray during school hours. The situation touched off a firestorm of criticism.
District spokeswoman Ursula Kroemer says officials realized they had to provide additional clarification on federal policies pertaining to religious activities on campus. She says by law students are free worship during lunch and recess.
Kroemer : Students are free to pray, they can read religious documents including the Bible, or have other religions activities, but all of these activities have to be supervised by the staff, who are there in what is known as the 'custodial capacity.' They are just there to really make sure the students are safe and they are being supervised.
A list of 'Dos and Don'ts' at the school is being passed around to the campus community.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
