A Pennsylvania school district just recently revoked their previously issued approval for an after-school Satan club to make use of their facilities in the wake of extreme public criticism.
This extracurricular club, which was being set up for kids ages 5-12, has first been granted approval to meet in public school structures in the Saucon Valley School District. This small suburban community is situated close to 60 miles just to the north of Philadelphia in Northampton County, just on the edge of Allentown.
Jaime Vlasaty, the Saucon Valley school superintendent, announced on Friday evening that she was going to be taking back the issued approval for the insane club to hold meeting on and use school facilities, saying the club did not meet the requirements for a club to use district facilities.
Vlasaty also spoke out about an anonymous voicemail that used threatening language and forced district campuses and after-school activities to be cancelled this past Tuesday night and all day Wednesday, as explained by Lehigh Valley Live, a local news outlet.
“As a result of this violation, the educational programming and activities of the District has been significantly impacted and it has caused unequivocal disruption to the District’s daily operations,” stated Vlasaty. “Our community has experienced chaos. Our students, staff and teachers have had to endure a threat to their safety and welfare. The gravity of feelings of instability, anxiety and fear have been profound.”
The school superintendent also called on the community to settle down with their “hateful” language spawned by the controversy.
“Aside from my decision to rescind approval, I implore the Saucon Valley community to eliminate threatening, hateful and divisive language and behavior, and make a commitment in supporting our students and reinforcing the values of our community,” she stated.
Vlasary went on: “I firmly believe that we can create a safe and inclusive environment within our District where everyone is respected and valued no matter their opinions and beliefs, but we must first model this within our homes, our community and with one another.”
The district’s choice to let the After School Satan Club make use of the middle school was told to parents this past Monday and quickly spawned an intensely heated debate from both sides. Representatives for the district made the argument that the club was not directly affiliated with the school and should be allowed to use the facilities because of such.
After School Satan Club is coming to Hellertown, PA! Saucon Valley Middle School will host the first ASSC open to both elementary and middle schoolers!
To register your student for SVMS's ASSC, please visit: https://t.co/SZsZOu1HYB
For more, visit: https://t.co/FVCuEDTXP1 pic.twitter.com/xcDA0H6fBh
— The Satanic Temple (@satanic_temple_) February 23, 2023
Parents were quick to band together, organizing a prayer service to be carried out just outside of the district Middle School on the day scheduled for the club’s first meeting.
“It’s by no means a protest,” expressed Marjulee Colon, the groups organizer and a former Republican candidate for Lehigh County’s District 4 commissioner seat, to one local outlet, The Morning Call. “My goal is to have the opportunity to really flood that area with the presence of our God, who is love and grace and mercy.”