The Freedom From Religion Foundation notified the school to complain about the teacher’s announcement after being contacted by a disgruntled parent of one of the third graders.

Vestavia Hill Elementary East teacher Patsy Smithe told her students that if they wanted to voluntarily participate in last month’s event, they needed to ask their parents for permission.

Pacific Justice Institute president Brad Dacus argues that such announcements are perfectly legal – as long as teachers make them appropriately.

“But they also need to make it clear that students who would like to bring something other than a Bible – that’s reflective of their faith or that’s inspirational to them personally – they should feel free to bring something to class as well.”

Dacus maintains that an investigation of this incident in unnecessary.

“For this teacher to be punished in any material way would be way beyond the bounds of reasonableness,” the conservative legal expert insists. “But conversely, teachers in the future need to recognize that they need to go way out of their way in such situations to make it clear they are not showing explicit favoritism.”