West Virginia —

Thanks to FFRF, the Kanawha (W.Va.) County Schools system will now keep churches out of future school-sponsored events.

A concerned Kanawha County Schools student reported that on April 17, Riverside High School hosted an egg hunt for students outdoors. FFRF learned that during the egg hunt, a table was set up by a representative of the Chesapeake Family Worship Center to solicit students to attend the church, and the representative distributed religious materials and trinkets. FFRF’s complainant reported being asked whether they attend church, and was given a flyer and then offered a ride to the church when they responded that they did not attend. Reportedly, the representative of the Worship Center distributed other religious materials, including wristbands with a bible verse inscribed on them, a card containing a variety of bible verses, and a small figurine of Jesus Christ.

“Students have the First Amendment right to be free from religious indoctrination in their public schools, including when participating in school-sponsored activities,” FFRF Anne Nicol Gaylor Legal Fellow Kyle J. Steinberg wrote. “Public schools may not show favoritism toward or coerce belief or participation in religion.”

After FFRF’s letter, the district thankfully listened to reason, with FFRF receiving a formal response from Superintendent Paula A. Potter. “The incident you reference in your letter has been investigated and addressed with the administrative staff at Riverside High School,” Potter wrote. “We recognize and have told the school administration that churches should not have been at the event. All schools will be trained on the same.”

The post Thanks to FFRF, the Kanawha County Schools system will now keep churches out of school-sponsored events. (October 2025) appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.