St. Johns schools get prayer protection

Students in St. Johns County, on the outskirts of Jacksonville, posted some of the best FCAT scores in the state last year. And who knows? Maybe they got help from above.

According to an e-mail obtained by the Gradebook, pastors, principals and others gathered at four St. Johns schools on a recent Sunday to walk through them and pray for "God's blessing and providence over each classroom and student."

The prayer groups included Beverly Slough (left), who chairs the St. Johns School Board and is president of the Florida School Boards Association. And the e-mail was sent to a third party by Kim Kendall (right), the St. John's mom-turned-activist who became the most visible critic of the state's new evolution-embracing science standards.

ACLU sues Santa Rosa schools

The ACLU of Florida has filed suit against the Santa Rosa school system in the Panhandle on behalf of two high school students who claim the district has consistently promoted and endorsed religion in the schools.

In a press release, the organization states "graduation ceremonies during the past five years at Central, Jay, Milton, Navarre and Pace High Schools have included prayers by students – often members of groups like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes or the Christian World Order. The graduation ceremonies at Santa Rosa Adult School and Santa Rosa Learning Academy also have included prayers." School officials also injected their own religious beliefs in other activities, too, the group contends.

To see the full complaint, click here.