A bill signed in late March by Governor Kristi Noem requires schools to prominently display the national motto “In God We Trust” in all South Dakota public schools.

“The display may take the form of a mounted plaque, student artwork, or any other appropriate form as determined by the school principal. The display shall be easily readable and may be no smaller than twelve inches wide by twelve inches high,” according to the bill.

In the Sioux Falls School District, the bill will be accompanied by civics lessons that will teach students about the national, state and local government.

“We’ll talk about how the capital of our nation is in Washington, D.C., the population of the United States and President (Donald) Trump being the current president of the United States,” said District Superintendent Dr. Brian Maher, according to the Argus Leader.

South Dakota will join several other states who have passed bills that require schools to display the national motto. Advocates argue that these initiatives signal a return to America’s founding values.

“Our history and our heritage is incredibly important, making sure that we as a nation remember our roots, remember where we came from,” said Arkansas state Rep. Jim Dotson in reference to a similar bill from his home state.

The presence of religion in schools has been widely discussed recently, partly fueled by a tweet by President Donald Trump in which he voiced support for state bills implementing “Bible literacy” programs in public schools. The phrase “In God We Trust” became the national motto in 1956 under President Eisenhower, whose administration also urged Congress to add the line “one nation under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. Some South Dakotans, though, are opposed to such phrases being involved in government.

“…religion at its core is a personal pursuit…The trouble occurs when it is thrust upon those with different beliefs…The day we make those people feel less a part of society is the day we lose track of the values that our country was built upon,” said the Argus Leader Editorial Board.

Dr. Maher, however, claims that the district’s implementation of the policy will focus on inclusion.

“I don’t think this has to be an exclusionary topic. Hopefully, we can make it as part of an inclusive topic in our schools,” said Maher.