Bible class in demand
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
Dozens of Chino Hills High School students have signed a petition requesting that non-seniors be allowed to enroll in a class that examines the Bible for the 2011-12 school year.
The Chino Valley Unified school board in June approved "The Bible as Literature and History" elective as a seniors-only class. It started this school year as a pilot program at Chino Hills, Chino and Don Lugo high schools.
The class is an elective for seniors who would be "at a maturity level where they could get the most benefit from the course," Superintendent Wayne Joseph said.
The elective covers English translations of the Bible, including the King James version, and discusses the influence the Bible has had on historical events and literary works.
Chino Hills High junior Amanda Witten said many non-seniors were disappointed that they couldn't participate in the class this school year.
"I think it's important that we know where it came from and why it's important, where it originated and why," Amanda said. "The thing is they're not teaching religion; they're teaching the Bible and its foundations and origins. They're not teaching the Gospel."
She said she has been gathering signatures for the petition in hopes that non-seniors will be able to take the class in the 2011-12 school year.
About a dozen juniors had signed up and attended classes for a couple of days in September until they were told by school officials that it was only open to seniors, Amanda said.
"There were 10 juniors that initially enrolled in the senior-level class at Chino Hills High School and moved to other classes on Sept. 4 when it was brought to the school's attention that they were not seniors," district spokeswoman Julie Gobin said. "The class is for seniors only as the books that students are required to read are senior-level books."
Amanda's mother, Eva McDaniel, a teacher and a school board candidate, said she would submit the petitions to the school board at its Thursday meeting.
"The kids are there and the numbers are there," McDaniel said.
Chino Hills High junior Amanda Witten said many non-seniors were disappointed that they couldn't participate in the class this school year.
"I think it's important that we know where it came from and why it's important, where it originated and why," Amanda said. "The thing is they're not teaching religion; they're teaching the Bible and its foundations and origins. They're not teaching the Gospel."
She said she has been gathering signatures for the petition in hopes that non-seniors will be able to take the class in the 2011-12 school year.
About a dozen juniors had signed up and attended classes for a couple of days in September until they were told by school officials that it was only open to seniors, Amanda said.
"There were 10 juniors that initially enrolled in the senior-level class at Chino Hills High School and moved to other classes on Sept. 4 when it was brought to the school's attention that they were not seniors," district spokeswoman Julie Gobin said. "The class is for seniors only as the books that students are required to read are senior-level books."
Amanda's mother, Eva McDaniel, a teacher and a school board candidate, said she would submit the petitions to the school board at its Thursday meeting.
"The kids are there and the numbers are there," McDaniel said.
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