August 2, 2016
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Office of Communications
301-952-6001
communications@pgcps.org
The mission of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) is to provide a great education that empowers all students and contributes to thriving communities for all children who enter our doors.
PGCPS regularly receives requests from groups – academic, civic, religious and nonprofit – to rent our school and administrative buildings through our facilities usage procedures. On Monday, August 1, 2016, The Satanic Temple of New York City requested permission to host an After School Satan Club for elementary-age children at Bradbury Heights Elementary School. Neither Bradbury Heights Elementary nor any schools in PGCPS currently host the After School Satan Club.
In addition to use of the building, The Satanic Temple requested permission to distribute permission slips to join the After School Satan Club to all students in PGCPS and to allow its leaders to promote the club at all “back to school night” events. The request is under review by PGCPS administration.
We are aware that parents have expressed concerns regarding The Satanic Temple and the After School Satan Club. Notwithstanding those concerns, PGCPS officials will review the group’s request according to Administrative Procedure 1330 (After School Use of Facilities) and the Flyers and Materials Distribution Guidelines applicable to all organizations.
Please be aware that neither Prince George’s County Public Schools nor the Prince George’s County Board of Education sponsors or endorses The Satanic Temple or the After School Satan Club. Moreover, parental permission is required for all afterschool activities.
To view a copy of the original letter from The Satanic Temple, erroneously directed to Board Member K. Alexander Wallace instead of Chief Executive Officer Kevin M. Maxwell as superintendent, click here.
-30-
