A New Vision High student — the Manteca Unified School District’s  continuation high school in Weston Ranch — has complained to the Americans United for Separation of Church and State that a teacher is promoting an after school Bible club as well as religion in class.

In a letter sent to MUSD Superintendent Jason Messer, Americans United legal fellow John McGinnis asserts the school district is violating the Establishment Clause that prohibits government bodies from taking any action that communicates endorsement of religion.

McGinnis wrote, “We have received a complaint that New Vision High School teacher John Alameda is using his official position to promote an after-school Bible club. We understand that Mr. Alameda not only sponsors the club but also shares his Christian beliefs during school hours and frequently encourages his students to attend the club’s meetings. Furthermore, he offers extra credit for copying Bible verses and gives students “Bible Cookies” as a reward for completing class assignments. We write to inform you that these actions violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. We ask that you take steps to ensure that Mr. Alameda complies with constitutional requirements.”

Besides contending Alameda’s endorsement of the Bible club — through regular promotion of its meetings to students throughout the school day — is plainly unconstitutional, McGinnis wrote that the teacher was out of line with sharing his religious beliefs.

To that point McInnis wrote, “The Establishment Clause also prohibits Mr. Alameda from sharing his Christian beliefs with students during school hours and incorporating religious content into the curriculum for extra credit and as rewards. It is well established that the Clause prohibits school employees from using their official positions to promote religious activities or religious perspectives to students in any manner.”