Stand for Truth and Righteousness

I watch my girls recite this motto at church once a month and because these words echo in my mind I find it impossible not to react or voice my opinion at this time.
Over the last couple of years, gradually our school district has allowed and sanctioned school activities on Sundays. Some of these activities, students are required to attend. Because this has been a gradual process and because we want our kids to get good grades, we've managed to squeeze a few of these activities in because they either (A) didn't interfere with church attendance or (B) we didn't want our child to be the only one who couldn't attend because of our seemingly freakish Sabbath rules. I can't abide any longer. Chloe has two school sanctioned activies in Jan. and Feb., both require all day attendance on Sunday. She also just texted me and told me their Sadie Hawkins dance has been moved to a Sunday. A school dance on Sunday????

I have written a letter to the school principal, which I plan to copy and send throughout the district. Please read it for me. I'm not the best writer and especially don't want to come across as a crazy zealot Mormon. I want everyone to understand Sabbath worship is a Christian thing...not Mormon thing. I know over the years we have gradually accepted activities for a variety of reasons and justifications and that has been wrong of us Christians to do. If you have small children you may not think this applies to you. You are wrong. Until 2 years ago there were no school activities on Sundays, now we are up to at least one a month. Please do something about this now or it will be twice as bad when your children are in High School. I'm also asking you, if you live in the North Kansas City school district, that you too write a letter.

Mr. Skretta,
I appeal to you, not because I believe my voice will make a difference but because my voice finally needs to be heard. I know there are others who agree with and share their opinions with me but because of a gradual process that has taken place, they too know that their opinions may not be valued at this time.

For some time I have noticed that gradually the school district has been making allowances and in fact, encouraging school sanctioned activities on Sunday. Sunday to my family and many other Christians is a day of rest, a day of worship, a Sabbath day that we spend reflecting on our Savior as well as regrouping as families. It has been an important and hallowed day in our home and hopefully can continue to be. Over the last few years, I’ve noticed here and there, the calendaring of school district activities on Sunday. Normally, we avoid attending those activities unless attendance is required for a grade, which has sometimes been the case. Arguments against our beliefs are that maybe perhaps as long as we attend church service, that going to school activities are alright. This is completely contrary to the whole concept of the Sabbath. We keep the Sabbath not only to keep ourselves from being in the world but also to prevent others from having to work and be in the world. We wish everyone could and would rest! Our church services are 3 hours long in the middle of the day, so even if we felt like we could allow our children to participate in school activities, most of them are scheduled during the time that we are attending church. I suppose I’m even trying to make justifications and excuses for my own belief as I’ve had to in the last couple of years so that my children were able to participate in school activities on Sunday. However, this month alone there are two Sunday activities and now I’ve been informed that the Sadie Dance has been scheduled for a Sunday. This can’t possibly be justified. Dances involve eating out for dinner and other fun activities which are completely contrary to worship on the Sabbath. At some point I must put my foot down.

There are six other days of the week. Am I meant to believe and understand that we as families can’t have one day a week for ourselves and for worship? Is it too much to ask for my children and others not to be required to give everyday of the week to the North Kansas City School District or is the district more important than my family or my beliefs? I’m sure there are many other families who agree with me but are frustrated as I am. Because school activities have gradually come into our lives, it has gradually been accepted. No longer can I not voice my opinions. It is wrong to schedule activities on Sunday, especially school sanctioned and sponsored activities and especially when attendance is required for a grade. My children will be disappointed in missing a school dance on Sunday. But as grades and college are somewhat of a priority in our family, it is more than a disappointment when my child can’t achieve the very best grade possible because of school functions scheduled on Sunday. Our school district prides itself on tolerance...tolerance of cultures and religions and freedoms. We need to be tolerant of the view of well over half of our city's opinion about the Sabbath.

Mr. Skretta, please know that we have been great supporters of the school district and our children’s education. They have been fully involved in your programs and academics and have excelled. We have been pleased so far with the education they are receiving and are satisfied with the efforts of you and your staff. I should have written this letter sooner and never again will I wait so long when my opinion needs to be heard. I realize calendars and planning are in motion and I also realize I am one person and one opinion. I know there are others who would appreciate my sentiments and would agree…we would love to have our Sabbaths remain sacred. Therefore, my appeal…please allow us to keep the Sabbath Day Holy and not allow school sanctioned activities to be scheduled on Sunday. Help me and thousands of others, keep our families intact and strong by allowing us the opportunity of one day a week with them. I believe strengthening our homes and families will impact our society more than anything else we can do. You may have the other 6 days, just give us Sunday.

Thank you for courtesy of time and thoughtfulness on matters of my beliefs.
With Regards,

Cheryl Kanenwisher

Please read and let me know what I need to add/delete or say!