Update, December 13, 11:30 a.m.: After publication, Chesapeake Public Schools contacted Young America’s Foundation denying the allegations of a parent who told YAF that the school district played a role in the distribution of promotional flyers.
Parents of students at B.M. Williams Primary School in southwest Virginia were understandably upset when their students reportedly came home from school with flyers promoting the first meeting of the elementary school’s new “After School Satan Club.”
ASSC is there for the children of Chesapeake, VA starting Dec 15. Join an environment free from threats of eternal damnation. Print and return one of the attached Permission Slips and bring it to the first meeting. For the Electronic Permission Slip⤵️https://t.co/SxeMS3YINy pic.twitter.com/JkqV87CEA4
— The Satanic Temple (@satanic_temple_) December 1, 2022
“HEY KIDS! LET’S HAVE FUN AT AFTER SCHOOL SATAN CLUB!” the flyers, which were also tweeted out by the Satanic Temple, read.
“These flyers were sent home in every student’s book bag,” a parent told Young America’s Foundation.
Although the First Amendment requires public school districts to permit the use of their facilities to religious organizations without discrimination, school administrators went above and beyond their legal obligations by allegedly instructing teachers to distribute the flyers in the classroom. YAF has been unable to reach the district to confirm the allegation; however, district policy seems to support the parental claims.
According to the Chesapeake Public School District’s Policy Manual, the school board adopted a policy that facilitates the distribution of publications that are not school-sponsored, with the principal’s approval, so long as the primary target audience includes students and their parents.
“The principal shall establish the time and place for the distribution of the literature,” the policy states. “Additionally, the distribution of literature to students on school property shall be done by students or by employees of the School Board.”
In the days since the flyers were sent home with students, community outcry convinced the initial parent organizer to back down and withdraw the meeting space request. However, the Satanic Temple told a local media outlet that they’re rigorously working to identify a new parent sponsor, in hopes of maintaining the original December 15 meeting date.
“I am horrified that my son’s school would distribute flyers promoting Satan. This is completely unacceptable, and I am demanding an explanation and an apology from the school,” another parent told Young America’s Foundation.
The Satanic Temple, which declared abortion to be one of its “sacraments” following the pro-life victory in the Supreme Court over the summer, has been starting these clubs across the country since 2016. Earlier this year, YAF reported on an After School Satan Club at a public school in Chicago- that club didn’t last very long. Within a few months, the organizer backed out of planning meetings and events.
Parents are actively working to prevent the organization from expanding its reach into their school district.
