Schools are required to allow students to be released for religious programs. This does not mean schools do not have
the ability to create policies that protect the school's instruction time. Read more about "May" and "Shall" state laws
(b) Each district school board, in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education, shall adopt policies authorizing a parent to request and be granted permission for absence of a student from school for:
1. Religious instruction or religious holidays.
Notes
(b) Each district school board, in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education, shall adopt policies authorizing a parent to request and be granted permission for absence of a student from school for:
1. Religious instruction or religious holidays.
What Can My School District Do?
All school districts, regardless of whether they are required by law to allow released time,
should implement good policy and be prepared for when a released time program may approach the district. The
time to set the policy is before an active program is pressuring the district. Research polices the district
can implement to protect teachers' and students' instruction time. Set polices that limit disruptions to
students and the ability for proselytization to occur, impacting other students of faith or no faith.
A more detailed write-up on school board policies can be read here.
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Lifewise Academy, a fundamentalist Christian ministry, is planning to remove students from our local schools. Lifewise has made public schools its mission field and aims to convert every student to its version of Christianity. Background checks for Lifewise employees and volunteers are not conducted to the same standard as public schools. Lifewise does not allow parents, churches, and the general public to fully review its curriculum. Lifewise Academy does not improve attendance, behavior, or school performance, contrary to statements by Lifewise. Please read more at https://www.respectpublicschools.com/venice-middle-school-sarasota-county-fl Read and learn about Lifewise Academy, inform your school board and administration, and get involved.
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No class schedule info. LifeWise classes are not open for enrollment.
Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
22
August 8, 2026
Step 9
Execute the Plan
22
February 15, 2026
Step 9
Execute the Plan
4
February 12, 2026
Step 9
Execute the Plan
22
January 24, 2026
Step 9
Execute the Plan
21
January 21, 2026
Step 9
Execute the Plan
181
January 19, 2026
Step 9
Execute the Plan
180
December 12, 2025
Step 8
Train Your Team
180
October 21, 2025
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
180
April 10, 2025
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
178
March 21, 2025
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
178
January 6, 2025
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
174
January 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
174
December 31, 2024
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
173
November 19, 2024
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
172
November 13, 2024
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
172
October 9, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
1
September 9, 2024
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
171
September 9, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
170
August 23, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
169
August 13, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
166
July 31, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
165
July 9, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
164
June 16, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
June 16, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
3
May 22, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
May 22, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
2
May 22, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
1
May 22, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
2
May 22, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
2
May 22, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
May 22, 2024
Associated Organizations
Org Type
Org Name
Address
Website
Submit churches, businesses and non-profits that support Lifewise.