Does anyone agree with this school committee?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/29...ge-allegiance/

Yoda

One of the proudest days of my life was standing the principal's office with my stepson (about 12 years ago) while he gave morning announcements and recited the Pledge of Allegiance over the elementary school's PA system. We proudly practiced at home before he was given this honor for his grades. I was so glad to be in the principal's office with him for something positive.

What a dirty shame this school district in Mass. is setting this kind of example. I noticed in the newspaper their budget is in crisis. Is it any wonder with these idiots in charge?


http://www.wickedlocal.com/arlington...e-unsuccessful

as well as the parents of it's attendees.
The special interests and concerns for the minority (are disproportioned to the numbers of those in disagreement with them).
So obviously the school committee has it's share of those special interest, linguine spined, permissive pacifist, don't offend anybody but screw the American culture/heritage and way.

As said above....disgusting article.....shame on all those that allow it.

btk

And, of course, Arlington (just a town or two over from where I work) misses the easy-layup solution.

When I went to high school in New Hampshire in the 1970s, the announcements over the PA system always ended with:

"We will now pause a moment for silent meditation"

If you wanted to say the Pledge to yoursel, silently pray that you would find last night's homework or whatever - you had the chance.

Nobody was forced to say anything.

Nobody was stopped from contemplating whatever they wanted.

Obviously, this solution was too easy.

the old fashioned core values of this country.

Flag up in front of the class, say pledge of allegiance and or a prayer.

A compromise that does not water down the core values COULD be for those who do not want to participate to sit and keep quiet while the others do honor to their country.

btk

Here's where this crap makes my head feel like it could explode. Even though the law says the kids can say the Pledge of Allegiance, teachers refuse. But read this. Also from Mass. The Provincetown Banner :

"Inundated with calls from the Governor and national media outlets about a new policy making condoms available to local students, the Provincetown school committee is going to change the language to make it age-specific, according to Dr. Beth Singer, school superintendent.

"The revised policy, which has to be approved by the school committee, will restrict the condom education and distribution program to students in the fifth grade and above. Parental participation, including the ability to opt their children out of the program, still will not be allowed, however .

"School committee chair Peter Grosso said the misinterpretation of the guidelines by the national media was behind the revision. The original policy, approved on June 8, did not set any age limit on the program but was never intended to include younger children, according to Grosso and Singer. School officials hadn’t wanted to pick an arbitrary age for student participation. However, even though the issue had drawn little concern from local parents, limiting it to fifth graders and above would help clarify the school committee’s intention, Grosso said."



http://www.wickedlocal.com/provincet...policy-changed

Here's a fly in the ointment...

What about the children of LEGAL aliens? Specifically non-resident aliens, working legally in this country but still citizens of another. ...and this is why you do it silently. It would be rather awkward to have one kid singing "God Save The Queen" while others were going for the Star Spangled Banner. (I know, anthems are different from the Pledge but I don't know what countries have something analagous to the Pledge)

This is an example of not thinking things through - heck, this didn't occur to me until just now. Previously I was against forced participation in the Pledge for different reasons (forcing someone to demonstrate patriotism is not patriotic, etc).

And, for the record, yes, I recite the Pledge from time to time (some meetings here start with it but that's a military policy) and I leave out the part they added in 1954.

There is nothing.

No big surprise that private (especially Christian)schools and home schooling are flourishing.

Originally Posted by djplong

Here's a fly in the ointment...

What about the children of LEGAL aliens? Specifically non-resident aliens, working legally in this country but still citizens of another. ...and this is why you do it silently. It would be rather awkward to have one kid singing "God Save The Queen" while others were going for the Star Spangled Banner. (I know, anthems are different from the Pledge but I don't know what countries have something analagous to the Pledge)

This is an example of not thinking things through - heck, this didn't occur to me until just now. Previously I was against forced participation in the Pledge for different reasons (forcing someone to demonstrate patriotism is not patriotic, etc).

And, for the record, yes, I recite the Pledge from time to time (some meetings here start with it but that's a military policy) and I leave out the part they added in 1954.

This is the United States of America; if legal alien children are at a Major League Ball Game and the National Anthem is played do they start screaming about it or stand silently and respectfully while the National Anthem of their gracious host country is played and the audience in the stands celebrate their patriotism?

Our schools and the recitation of the Pledge is no different. Let those who don't want to participate stand quietly, if they must. The education of our children should include the pro-active respect and pride of country and tradition. We are damaging the future of our country to do otherwise.

Why are we wimping out on this?

Do you not see the difference between a ball game where you paid to get in and is run by a private corporation versus a school where you are REQUIRED BY LAW to attend?

If someone hates the Pledge, they don't have to go to a ball game. They still have to go to school.