The program, called Hellion Academy of Independent Learning or “HAIL,” will fall under the district’s released time for religious instruction policy.
MARYSVILLE, Ohio — The Satanic Temple Group will offer a program for students at Edgewood Elementary School in Marysville.Â
The school will introduce a new program known as Hellion Academy of Independent Learning, abbreviated as “HAIL,” which will be part of the district’s policy on released time for religious education. This policy allows students to choose to participate in the program instead of attending regular classes.
Crystal Dille, a parent in Marysville with three children enrolled in the district, initially thought the program was a joke. Dille expressed her opposition to religious instruction being connected to schools.
She stated, “Personally, I would prefer if the two were kept separate. I believe that religion and education should not be intertwined within the school system. I want to have control over the curriculum that my children are exposed to.”
Betty Elswick, a volunteer, organizer, and parent with the temple, said the program isn’t about teaching kids about Satanism.
“This program is to make sure kids have a place to go. It’s not teaching Satanism; it’s talking about ethics and being part of a community. We want it to be positive,” Elswick said.
Elswick said the program is coming to the district partly because of LifeWise Academy, another religious program being offered.
“We felt as parents, with this policy in place, we also wanted the kids to have representation no matter what group was here,” she added.
When asked why she wanted to bring the program to the district, Elswick said, “We wanted to make sure the kids have the ability to participate in a program that was positive for them. We have had a number of students say they had been bullied or teased.”
However, parents like Dille said the Satanic symbols give her and possibly children the wrong impression of what is being taught.
“Keep in mind that the people coming in for these groups and organizations, whether it be LifeWise or this Hail Academy, they’re not being fully vetted by the school,” Dille said.
LifeWise Academy CEO Joel Penton said in part, “We believe all families should have the opportunity to choose religious study during school hours and we trust parents to make the best choice for their children.”
The program will be held once a month on Wednesdays.
