Dear Friend,

Religious extremists and their lawmaker allies are intentionally sowing disinformation about religious freedom in public schools and public funding of religious education to confuse students, families, teachers, and taxpayers. They are relentlessly trying to force impressionable public school children to live by their narrow beliefs and fostering “in” and “out” groups among our children.

We can't let them get away with turning our public schools into Sunday schools. We need to make clear that students still have extensive religious freedom rights in public schools—and Americans United will fight to protect them. Here’s how families can fight back against Christian Nationalism in public schools:

✅ Know Your Rights: Our updated “Know Your Rights” guides explain the religious freedom rights of students and their parents in public schools, as well as the rights and responsibilities of public school employees. New this year, we’re also offering guidance for families who may see Ten Commandments posters going up in their schools. Read our updated guides on your rights at school and share them with the public school families you know: [link removed]

✅ Learn from the Experts: Join us on Wednesday, August 12, at 7:00 p.m. ET for a free virtual webinar, “Schoolhouse Rules: Faith, Freedom & Public Schools.” AU experts will host a practical conversation about church-state separation in public schools, students’ rights, and what to do when a school crosses the line: [link removed]

✅ Report a Violation to Americans United: Contact us if you see students pressured to participate in any kind of coercive religious activity in public school. Having children in public school should not mean giving up your family’s religious freedom and choices: [link removed]

✅ Share these Resources: Please post these valuable resources on social media, send them to school administrators and others in your community, drop them off in libraries—you get the idea: [link removed]

Friend, we owe it to our children to ensure their public schools—the building blocks of our diverse society—are welcoming, inclusive, and free of religious coercion. It’s still the law of the land that public schools can’t pressure students to pray, have school-sponsored prayers at school events, teach creationism or other religious doctrines, and more. Let’s make sure everyone knows that!

This back-to-school season, let’s recommit to separating church and state. Our children’s religious freedom, inclusive public education, and our democracy depend on it.

With hope and determination,

Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO

Donate: [link removed]

Copyright © 2026
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
All rights reserved.
1310 L St. NW, Ste. 200
Washington, DC xxxxxx

Donate: [link removed]
We cannot respond to all replies we receive. Please click here to contact AU: [link removed]
Privacy policy: www.au.org/privacy-policy/
Update your info: www.au.org/about-au/contact/update-your-information/

unsubscribe: [link removed]