Flag Salute?

[Anonymous]

We do the Pledge every morning at our DCPS

[Anonymous]

Yes we do it at our school as well. Students may opt out but have to demonstrate respectful behavior (ie stand or sit quietly)

[Anonymous]

I care more about math, reading, critical thinking. A pledge to a flag reminds me of church creed. Glad to hear many have stopped.

[Anonymous]

You are probably of the generation that did the pledge of allegiance, it didn't alter your educational outcome, did it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are probably of the generation that did the pledge of allegiance, it didn't alter your educational outcome, did it?

No. Though I do resent the attempts at indoctrination.

[Anonymous]

I don't think any schools were doing The Pledge until 911. Then all of a sudden everyone started doing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are probably of the generation that did the pledge of allegiance, it didn't alter your educational outcome, did it?

'

No, but this kind of vapid coercion made me incredibly suspicious of all forms of cheap patriotism. Now I can't see one of those 9/11-themed Virginia license plates without thinking, "What a narcissistic idiot." Same with American flag magnets on your car. If you can't even risk damaging your paint job to demonstrate just how pure your love of country is, you're being an idiot.

[Anonymous]

Wow. Pledge of allegiance = cheap patriotism? Wow. What constitutes deep patriotism for you? Flag burning as an expression of the 1st Amendment? Teaching traditions gives children a touchstone and ALSO something to rebel against, if they choose to. I feel sorry for your kids. They must lack much to hang their coats on.

[Anonymous]

As a patriotic American who has also lived overseas in several countries, and sent my kids to schools overseas, I can say that saying a "pledge of allegiance" is actually rather rare overseas.

I personally have no problem with our Pledge of Allegance, however, some American religions -- such as Mennonites and Jehovah's Witnesses -- cannot take such an oath. Out of respect for them, we do not say the pledge of allegance at my child's charter. Personally I think there are better ways to learn and express patriotism than a daily pledge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DCPS doesn't do either. We have many families from outside the US.

Receiving free, public education? And?

I do not know what you mean. I am one of those from outside the US and my kids go to DCPS. I live in DC, have a high paying job and pay a serious amount of federal and DC taxes. there are other foreigners at my kids' school, all in the same situation. if you look for freeloaders, look much closer to home

I'm not implying free-loading, touchy touchy. I am implying that when you avail yourself of free, public education in a host country there should be zero objection to a salute to the flag. Children may wish to sit it out, but the option to salute should be there for all children. Public schools are part of our civil society, and saluting the flags is a civic ritual.

+1

I grew up reciting the pledge daily in my elem school. My kids' school does not do it but I wish they would. Guess ill teach them at home.

[Anonymous]

My kid's MoCo school pledges allegiance daily. They also have those kids who bring the flag down outside at the end of school and fold it properly. Also, my child learned all sorts of "American patriotic symbols" and then had a parade (where all the kids wore red, white, and blue and sang Grand Ol' Flag). The parade happened to be on Columbus Day, which was interesting timing.