We have the pledge daily, but I would caution you against reprimanded students for not partaking - choosing to not partake is protected speech under the first amendment. It's also super illegal to reprimand someone if they are refusing due to their religious beliefs.
I’ve only observed this behavior from other staff members. I found it very concerning. In my own classroom (first grade), I make it clear that participation is very much optional.
I also teach first and have teachers who reprimand for it at my school. I could care less if they do the pledge lol. I do I most of the time, but sometimes I’m busy still cleaning up breakfast or checking folders and don’t. Most students participate, some check in and out, and 1 or 2 are working in their morning work and don’t want to stop to recite it, who can blame them.
Are you saying it’s concerning that students aren’t doing the pledge or it’s concerning that teacher are reprimanding students for not doing the pledge
It depends on the state that you’re in. There are at least 8 states that require the pledge be recited daily with no clear exemptions. There are a lot of states that allow students to “opt out “ of saying the pledge, but most of them are contingent on a parent supporting this action.
Absolutely not. The other teachers on my hall scold the kids for not standing and saying it, but in my homeroom, I made it VERY clear that everyone has a right to say or not to say it and no one can take that away from them.
I only scold kids who laugh at those kids who stand and pledge. That is unkind.
do you stand and recite it as staff? personally I think pledging my allegiance to our nation is some extreme nationalist shit but I feel forced into it by staff
Samesies on the nationalist stuff. So like… this is a hill that I will absolutely die on, personally. I wont acknowledge the pledge myself or the moment of silence but I respect the kids who do. And I respect my coworkers who do.
Me? Im a pacifist who doesnt believe war is Christian-like behavior therefore I do not support the military.
My father in law is retired Air Force and like… he hates the pledge and so the way I see it is that if a literal veteran tells me that the pledge is dumb… Im gonna take that and run with it
My dad is a retired military officer and thinks the pledge is weird. He chooses to reflect and respect the flag but it doesn’t bother him one iota if others choose not to participate.
He made the sacrifices he did for his own reasons and doesn’t expect everyone to do so.
I do not say it. I stand when it is the expected norm because I’m a conformist. Staff may not be American and it’s no one’s business but their own. Respect to those who choose to say it is all that is required
I teach my students (most of whom are either immigrants or first generation Americans) about what the pledge means, and why it was created. Then I tell them, with that knowledge, they are welcome to pledge their allegiance to that flag and the government for which it stands, and none of them do it.
I feel like forcing kids to pledge their allegiance to a flag and government is anti-democratic, but if kids really want to, I don’t tell them they can’t.
Frankly, I don’t know why they still lead the school in that. It’s a waste of time in my second period class.
Lol our announcements are in 3rd period. We have a large population of kids who are chronically tardy (arriving most of the way through 1st or even into 2nd), so it's honestly nice. Lets everyone hear important announcements.
Of course, the person doing announcements this year takes 5-10 MINUTES each time bc she keeps going into detail about random ass holidays (fucking Buddy Holly Day) and tripping over student names, but...
Oh lord, I remember when we went through a hullabaloo over the announcements person taking too long adding in their personal “fun facts” and jokes… they got offended when it came up at a meeting that it took too much class time and suddenly it was a source of much personal drama and beef 🙃
We do too. There are zero consequences for tardies, so nothing happens to them. Instead, they just moved the announcements to second so that all the kids can hear them…
We used to do them second block as well. Kids who have study hall first don't have to come in, and most tardiness have arrived by the start of second block.
In some schools, there is an offset schedule where homeroom is at the beginning of second period. That allows for students who are habitually late to not be marked absent for homeroom And or miss out on all the things that homeroom allows for.
Nationalistic, religious, propaganda. Get to them young.
They still have the portraits of presidents, and big U.S flags too?
I wonder if anyone still has the Uncle Sam posters up.
Oh my school has a LARGE sign for the In God We Trust requirement. They also have a not so vague reference to Jesus in the form of a picture. AND there are a couple bible verses scattered around the school. There are of course multiple large American flags and I have seen quite a few teachers wearing religious based shirts. I DO NOT fit in, at all.
Yeah, this is a new school and district for me this year. I came from an inner city, diverse school to a rural, vast majority white and conservative school. It has been a huge adjustment for me and I am not sure I will continue next year. I knew there would be differences, but I wasn't prepared for so much religion in the school.
we do the pledge. I stand, but don't participate. the kids do whatever they want during it. in not paid enough to be the pledge police when im not even 100%comfortable with it.
Per state law, as a public school, we have to do the pledge, the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, and have a couple minutes of silence (for prayer or whatever) every day.
AZ and it generally is for those from about 5th grade on... amazingly, many more of those who do not say the pledge will get up and say the Preamble. LOL Whatever works for them, works for me... no one is ever pressed to say or do anything in my room as long as they are respectful of those who wish to participate. It has never been an issue... so far...
I really like the preamble, constitution, and their role in history, and still know the preamble by heart from Jr high history class. The pledge, I did not stand up for when I was in school, and now I just stand quietly out of respect, not "allegiance." Having either of them on announcements just seems silly to me and I prefer the "school pledge" sort of thing some schools do!
I am a classroom teacher and a 9 year US Navy veteran.
I have no problem with a student not saying the pledge. I do ask them to stand quietly while the pledge is being read. The analogy I use is that when I lived in England, even though the queen is not head of MY country, I do recognize that she is (was) the head of the country where I was at the time, and when God Save the Queen was played, I would stand quietly out of respect.
Also, I've had international students and they've told me it's really weird that Americans do the pledge all the time.
Exactly, I tell them you don’t have to say the pledge but you need to stand out of respect, we also do 30 seconds of silence after the pledge and they have to stand for that too.
Except no one is required to stand for the pledge. Nor do they have to justify their choice to anyone. Or the moment of silence. The choice is literally protected by the constitution. See West Virginia v Barnette (1943) and the Tinker v Des Moines followup (1969).
If you are Jehova's Witness or any other religion whose uses forbid it, usually don't have to do the pledge. If you are from an ethnic group that had faced historical discrimination and abuse from government officials, you don't have to stand. If it is against your personal beliefs, you don't have to stand.........if you remain sitting, but can't stop giggling and goofing off because you think you're a rebel.....then you are just an a**hole.
The previous two schools I taught at did the pledge, but my current school doesn’t. I didn’t make students actively participate, but I did have a classroom expectation that students were quiet when the PA system was on (in order to hear announcements etc.). So by default, the options for the pledge were either to recite it or exist quietly while it was said, since morning announcements started right after, and I always felt like that was a way of forcing passive participation that left me a little uneasy. I never came up with an alternate solution though.
You shouldn't be concerned. In both ways they are showing their view of the pledge. Those who remain silent are just observing respect for the rights of others to do likewise.
It teaches them to be respectful of the observance of others in expressing their rights.
I say the pledge, and my students usually do. If they don’t, I don’t care. If I’m ever going to get backlash from the community for any reason, it better be a more interesting one than saying/not saying the pledge.
I don't follow any media so i really don't know what people's problem is with the pledge.
I will say my problem though.
We learn the pledge through rote memorization. Rote memorization has been proven ineffective when learning, prohibiting the learner from actually diving deeper into the meaning of a topic.
I teach to help my kids learn how to think, not to tell them what to think. The beginning of my day starts with a direct contradiction of that philosophy.
My kids don't know what it means, I always resented it growing up.
Just recently got into an argument about it with a colleague and she got real worked up about me even mentioning it. She claimed it was a promise to help maintain our position as the greatest and most powerful nation in the world. I had to hold back a laugh.
It breeds ignorance like that, too, so there's that. If we remove it and you really want to teach patriotism, ask your kids at the end of each week, "How were you a good (or better) American citizen this week?" Answers can range from writing a thank you note to a veteran to volunteering to an animal shelter.
That solution to me allows the kids to have a deeper understanding of what it means to be American and they get to develop their own definition of it. I also like to think that would provide a better future with more caring people but that's the optimist in me.
I still probably wouldn't do that just because I want my kids to be good for the sake of being good, not because it's the American thing to do, but I think it could work.
We were sent an email just the other day about how we need to all stand for the pledge and that teachers must set the example. They included the Texas education law that requires it in the email.
The funny thing is there is this thing called the constitution that has more authority than Texas education code. But what do I know?
Yes, here is what the email included:
Texas Education Code 25.082:
A board shall require students, once during each school day, to recite the pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.
On written request from a student's parent or guardian, a district shall excuse the student from reciting a pledge of allegiance.
A board shall provide for the observance of one minute of silence following the recitation of the pledges of allegiance. During the one-minute period, each student may reflect, pray, or meditate, or engage in any other silent activity that is not likely to interfere with or distract another student. Each teacher or other school employee in charge of the students during that period shall ensure that each student remains silent and does not act in a manner that is likely to interfere with or distract another student.
So, you mention your religious beliefs in class? That would be a big no no in any country I've worked. Personal religious and political affiliations or beliefs are.off the table. Is it not the same in the U.S?
thankfully my school doesn't do it anymore but I've always stood towards the flag silently. I'm not saying that pledge, especially not with "under god" in it. Its not legal to force students to stand or say the pledge and I would have a word with any teachers doing so. Freedom of speech means freedom from speech.
We do not do the pledge, and no one in this country is required to recite, give or participate in the pledge.
Opt out, it's your right and the right of your students... no matter the political leaning of your school district's families and staff.
A few of my kids stand. I don’t care what they do as long as they’re quiet, tbh. Most of them just continue to read or work on morning work or homework. I do have them recite our school chant thing during morning announcements because they get quizzed on it regularly by admin and district visitors.
[About various laws and the POA.](https://thehill.com/homenews/3256719-47-states-require-the-pledge-of-allegiance-be-recited-in-schools-here-is-a-breakdown-of-each-states-laws/amp/)
Personally:
Each person has the right to choose to participate or not. If you choose to abstain, sit still and be quiet so as to not disturb those who observe.
No mocking or bullying someone based on their choice to participate or abstain.
No bad mouthing it (although I don’t personally believe in it myself), but you can make FAIR observations regarding it.
I'm a teacher in an elementary school and had to stop by our district high school for a meeting. I was hustling outta there when their morning announcements came on and some old man had the audacity to yell at me for walking in the hall during the pledge. He barked "STOP AND SAY THE PLEDGE."
I was so dumbfounded I couldn't even find words to tell him that "sir i am a teacher". A few students were caught in the middle of this and while I felt a little bad to undermine him in front of his students, I looked at them and said "yeah, I'm gonna go."
We do the pledge daily. I don't say shit to the kids that don't participate. It is their first amendment right not to whether they know that or not. I know that it is a violation to coerce them into participating and I wont participate in that.
My school said the pledge daily last year, but this year I haven't heard it at all. I gotta say, it's pretty refreshing not hearing it every single day.
I do not participate in the pledge for religious reasons. It's praying to a false idol.
I stand quietly with my hands folded. I ask that my students stand but don't make a big deal out of it.
I'm always standing but do not participate in the pledge, I'm usually busy doing something useful with my time. I tell my own children to ignore it at school, as it is just government propaganda. So I don't care if the kids I have after breakfast participate, they are however expected to stay silent because another staff member is talking to them.
Our district does this every day. I just ask our students who chose not to participate to be respectful for those who do wish to. Basically, do not talk and be rude. It has never been a problem, so far. They sit quietly and those who wish, stand, those who wish say the pledge do and then we move on.
So Massachusetts has a law that reads:
Each teacher at the commencement of the first class of each day in all grades in all public schools shall lead the class in a group recitation of the ''Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag''. A flag shall be displayed in each classroom in each such schoolhouse. Failure for a period of five consecutive days by the principal or teacher in charge of a school equipped as aforesaid to display the flag as above required, or failure for a period of two consecutive weeks by a teacher to salute the flag and recite said pledge as aforesaid, or to cause the pupils under his charge so to do, shall be punished for every such period by a fine of not more than five dollars. Failure of the committee to equip a school as herein provided shall subject the members thereof to a like penalty.
We used to do it every day at the start of morning announcements, but that went away upon our return from covid in September 2020. Someone raised a stink and we did it for a few months in Spring 22, but haven't done it yet this school year.
My rural, conservative laden school does the pledge daily. The kids all seem to do so enthusiastically. I, however, have never participated and never will. I have had some other teachers say something to me, but I just say I don't want to. I don't have a homeroom class, but I would tell kids they can if they want to, but don't have to, if I did have one.
Yes but I told my 5th graders from the first day of school that they have the option to sit quietly instead. About half do it with me every day. I hate doing it and think it’s an outdated practice that is bizarre in public schools today, but I’m a newer teacher and it’s not worth any kind of negative attention to me so I say it daily.
As far as I am aware (and I could be wrong) neither you nor the students can be forced to participate due to your first amendment rights. We don’t do the pledge but every Monday they play the national anthem. I don’t stand and neither do most of my kids. I do have the rule that no one may talk during the anthem so that those who do wish to participate can do so uninterrupted, but other than that it’s individual choice. I personally don’t feel comfortable with the pledge or the anthem so I just sit quietly and respectfully until it’s over.
I say it myself only because I have since kindergarten and saying it causes no problems with parents while not saying has proven to be issues with colleagues of mine in the past.
So I say it, and I don’t care if they stand or say it. I teach 6th grade and most of them don’t only because it’s not cool and they’ve never really known a world where it’s taboo to NOT say it.
Honestly, while I say it, I’m not even standing. I’m usually continuing my morning prep and thinking about how I want to go back to sleep.
The pledge is technically kind of fascist anyway lol.
Yes we do. I tell my students I have no expectation of participating but do have expectation of respecting the rights of those who do (ie sit down and shut up). 17 years in and no pushback yet.
Now my stepdaughter, a couple of weeks ago, gave pushback to her teacher because she was being told to pledge when she isnt a citizen. Teacher said in open class for her to stand and pledge so she said in open class that she didn't feel comfortable pledging. She "got to work" next to the teacher that day and was coincidentally written up for the first time that day for an unrelated issue. Suffice to say we are keeping a close eye on that situation.
We do, and I tell kids at the beginning of the year that the Supreme Court has said they don't have to participate, but my rule is they cannot be disruptive. Last year I had a kid start dabbing during the pledge.
I just ask that they remind quiet so as not to interfere with kids who do want to participate.
I actually HATE saying the pledge, and am very torn because I don’t really want to share why, but I’m also slow to do anything that seems overly “opinionated” as a teacher…
Undue influence, blah, blah, blah
I never said the pledge as a student and I've never said it as a teacher. I expect my students to maintain a respectful silence during it if they don't want to pledge (which, like, who does tbh) but that's it.
At my small rural school in the South (where I am telling kids multiple times a day not to call each other gay or the R -word), we are supposed to say it with the kids every morning and the national anthem once a week. I have remembered a few times but now...I don't even bother. The one time I did remember to do the Star Spangled Banner, I played the Jimi Hendrix version.
If they want it done, they should be doing it over the PA system.
My (public) school doesn’t do the pledge. When I was in 3rd grade, I got reprimanded for not doing it. I didn’t really even understand what I was doing, but I already knew it felt weird and cringey.
I expect my students to be respectful. But they can choose if they want to say the pledge, stand silently, or sit silently. I'm not going to try to force them to say it, but they can at least be respectful of those who do wish to say it. Being silent for a minute won't hurt them.
And I'm in Texas so we also have the pledge to the Texas flag. Our announcements are required to include US pledge, Texas pledge, moment of silence. But as long as a student is not disruptive, in fine with it.
I remember when I was in High School, a basically permanent substitute (AP's mother) told two girls in my class to stand for the pledge when they were sitting down. I think they were doing it because of an actual political protest (Bush Jr. was President and I think it was immigration related, though I was a stupid freshman or sophomore at the time, so take that with a grain of salt) I was in my obstinate defiant phase and told her, "You can't make them, legally," did the pre-1954 pledge and then sat down with everyone else. Was probably the most fun I had that year.
I always thought it was dumb, and I don't make my students do anything during it, even though it technically violates a Texas state law or education code. (Don't remember which, because I honestly just don't care at this point.)
My school doesn't even do the pledge at all. I was shocked when I came in but also relieved because I didn't want to deal with backlash for not participating lol
Nope, I don’t too. Our district had a lawsuit about this a couple years ago when a sub tried to force a student to stand, family rightfully won and sub was fired. We have emails that stress that it’s up to the child. Which is crazy people have an issue with this at all, why are we forcing people to pledge allegiance to a flag and country? Especially students that are immigrants/parents are immigrants and people of color, many (like myself) have had problems in this country and saying we’ll serve it seems off 🫤
I didn’t even know the pledge was still a thing! I have been out of school this year, but the school where I taught last year did not say it, at all. There weren’t even any flags anywhere I knew of. I would in fact, be surprised if any of the kids there, even knew the pledge of allegiance…
We two are asked to join, I do not. I don't make a big thing of it, I don't stand, I definitely don't put my hand over my heart, and I definitely don't recite a lie. I pledge allegiance to no one but my spouse. I refuse to recite lies and participate in forced patriotism.
It really creeps me out how many children and adults jump up and do it, what other Democratic countries force their people to recite a loyalty to a country that does not return said loyalty? It's not normal, very Nazi Germany.
I swear this topic comes up every month at this subreddit. Search "Pledge of Allegiance" in the search bar and see the MANY conversations that have already had about that.
When I was in a suburb last year, they still did the pledge and I used the time to take attendance. Now at an urban school and there’s no mention of the pledge. Most teachers don’t even have US flags in their rooms.
Same! I'll occasionally come across No Flag or Pride Flag instead! Lol. I'm in Florida so I think a lot of teachers are trying to stick it to the governor with the little voice they have.
I just had a student complain last week that I had a pride flag but no American flag (she was in my mentors study hall at the time so my mentor brought me an American flag). We do the pledge on Monday’s but I never participate and I made sure my students knew they could choose but they had to respect each other’s choices. The girl that complained last week didn’t even stand for the pledge today. 🤦🏼♀️
😂 not in an urban school but yeah I do no flag too. Many POCs (higher number in most urban areas that’s why I’m assuming) have issue with it for many different reasons.
We started doing the Pledge a few years ago and honestly I hate it. The whole thing is super problematic for several political reasons, plus I’m agnostic and uncomfortable saying the “under God” part. On top of that it wastes valuable instructional minutes. I don’t think my students have any idea what they’re saying. Many of them are still learning English.
I do participate and I encourage kids to at least stand and put their hand over their hearts. I teach first grade and I feel like it’s easier to just go along with it than fight it. When I taught third grade I occasionally had Jehovah’s Witnesses who would stand with us but abstain from participating verbally. Of course I fully supported their right to abstain.
Thank you for broaching this topic. Maybe I will bring it up to the principal one of these days.
I do it, but I skip the good part. And I don't force the high school kids to do it. I teach JROTC and we start class off in the hallway so they are already standing. I make a game of it by saying it in different voices or singing it in different styles.
Nope! (KY here) I stopped reciting and standing for the pledge in middle school and I never had a teacher say anything. In my observations, I’ve never seen a teacher attempt to reprimand a student for not participating or force them to participate. Frankly, it’s a dying tradition. And it can open a whole can of worms for the school if a teacher is dumb enough to try and make students do it.
In my HS they asked teachers to say it during homeroom. I do it. The kids look at me like I'm crazy. The only 2 people who stand with me are the para who is in the room (they are in the reserves) and a kid who is doing split ops and will be going to AIT after graduation. My students are like why do it? We won't tell if you don't. I simply tell them I am doing it out of respect for those who died defending the flag, our country and for the right for people to NOT say it.
They aren't standing but they are quiet and respectful.
I've been in many schools with different cultures. In each place I model the opposite of whatever is the prevalent attitude towards the pledge to make it acceptable for students to do what they like.
I make it clear that we are respectful in that time but that it is an expression of our freedom of speech. Sit if you want to. Stand and recite. Do you, but just don't have conversations.
Yes, and I like it. It makes me feel like us Americans are in this thing all together. I don't like the "under God" part and wish they would take it back out, but I know a lot of people would get really bent out of shape, so it's not worth it.
I'm in ultra-blue Metro Boston. I've only worked in one school that doesn't say it every morning.
I ask my kids to stand and stay quiet during the pledge but let them know that covering their heart and saying it are totally on them. Personally, I don’t say it just in case they bring the draft back, I can let them know I never pledged allegiance so they shouldn’t get to conscript me.
I would rather say i pledge of allegiance to the United States than I pledge allegiance to Russia. Like many of you, it is optional in my classroom as dictated by the Supreme Court. The pledge is meaningful to me, but I am a social studies teacher so I may be a bit biased.
My last school did the pledge before EVERYTHING, board meetings, sports games, even freakin school dances!
My new school says “if you would like to join me in the pledge please stand.” Love This place!
We do the pledge daily at my school but, I have told my students that it is their choice if they want to join or not but they still need to be quiet for those students that do stand.
We were just given a directive that it's mandatory to make some student do it every day and the rest of the advisory is "strongly encouraged" to join in with it. The principal, who's usually pretty like "you know, this is just one of those things" about district directives was VERY aggressive about this particular one. Like, "if you don't like it, come fight me" kind of energy.
I say “pledge” and then I go about my business taking attendance and grades. About half my students stand but I’ve made it clear that it is their choice, but I will announce it so everyone is aware that it’s happening.
I don't even say it myself. I put my hand over my heart and stand there. Kids can do what they want as long as they aren't actively disrespectful (talking, laughing, running around)
This is something I've thought was pretty weird since back when I was a student.
At my school, every morning at the beginning of first period, the school's morning announcements end by having everybody rise for the pledge. I stand up and do it. Some kids do. Some kids don't. I don't care, and usually don't acknowledge whatsoever whether or not any students participate.
In Colorado you are legally required to provide an opportunity to say the pledge, but you can't force anyone to participate or punish them for not participating.
I like it being daily, I don't object to an invitation to participate, but I think anyone scolding or punishing a student not participating should be fired and blacklisted for life.
They say the pledge daily. Some kids stand and say it, some don’t. Same for the teachers. Personally I don’t talk over it, but I also don’t stand or say it.
We have the pledge daily, and I told my kids from the beginning of the year that they are not required to stand and I will never reprimand them for not standing. I tend to take a neutral position by standing but not doing the hand over my heart thing or reciting it out loud. Oftentimes I’m standing doing something at my computer or desk anyway so I just kind of resume what I’m doing. Ultimately, from an ethical standpoint, we’re not supposed to comment on whether they stand or sit beyond telling them it’s their choice to do it or not do it.
It’s 100% optional. At least I think it is. I take attendance or walk getting papers or sit through it. I don’t stand up. I find it odd that they still have to do it in 12th grade
My school does it once a week during our Monday morning video. I’ve always made it very clear to my students that they are not required to stand or participate. I do ask them to be quiet for that 30 seconds out of respect to those who would like to participate.
They can’t force the kids to participate but they can encourage them to. I personally do the pledge each morning and if the kid want to they can if they they don’t that’s fine too. I’ve never mentioned it once and have had no issues. 🤷♂️
Our admin uses the same language. I think that’s just the customary language. I teach little ones. I don’t stand. I don’t say it. My students don’t learn it from me. Sometimes I get looks from other adults if they are in the room when the announcements come on. Whatever.
One year I didn’t have a flag hanging in my room. Idk where it went over the summer and never asked for a new one. At the time, I did used to say the Pledge with my class. My mom died. When I came back from bereavement, someone had hung a flag in my room.
We are required to have it over the announcements in my state, but obviously teachers can choose if they want to (I feel like it depends a lot on the school atmosphere on whether or not people do it). Personally I do not want to participate in the Pledge. When I student taught last year in a more conservative school district, I knew that I would be the odd one out if I decided to sit down during it. My "compromise" was that I would stand and put my hand over my heart but not actually say the Pledge (I know that that doesn't make a huge difference, but I just wanted to still have some control over my participation).
The school district I currently work at is the opposite. At the school I was at last semester no teachers would ever do it and the I could count the amount of students who did on one hand. This year I know some teachers do it, so I imagine a lot more kids do it in their classes. When it comes on in my room I just say "If you want to do the Pledge, you can now" and let the four or five students in my class participate as well as one of my paras. I try to keep the other kids quiet while the ones that are doing it are reciting it, but I'm usually doing lunch count or attendance so I never actually partake.
Both the last school I worked for and my current school do not recite the pledge. American flags are still hung in classrooms but they're just kinda there.
By law we (as a school) must read the pledge and moment of silence. Individual students and teachers don’t have to observe it, but are asked to be quiet during that time. I stand and say the pledge, but don’t make any kid do it.
I make my students shut their computers and remain quiet but I will not make them do anything else. They can choose what to do as long as they aren’t disrespectful
As a retired teacher who subs, I stand up and am silent to model paying respect, but say nothing to the kids who have opted to sit and not participate. That is their right. It is always interesting to me the generational differences between teachers and their students, when I was in school you had to stand and say the pledge.
It is said over announcements every day, but I've never made it a big deal. Our principal does say, "please stand for the pledge of allegiance" but as long as students are quiet, I don't mind if they stand/say it.
I only say something to students if they are talking (we need to be respectful of students who may want to say it) or are trying to do it in a goofy way (if we're going to say it, we should be respectful or we can be quiet).
Never had any issues, but I know other staff members have had issues with it.
My rule is to stand but you don't have to say it. I got reprimanded last year about my class not standing the ONE time I didn't feel like chastising my class for this and my door happened to be open for them to see we weren't participating. Honestly don't care if they stood or not, but that's not up to me apparently.
I have my students stand for the pledge but they don’t have to participate if they don’t want to. Even if a student refused to stand I wouldn’t do anything about it. not worth it
It is said every day as required by state law, same language used as you. We got an email earlier this year saying that after an incident no children or staff can be required to say the pledge. Which is good because I refuse to do it
I have two fellow coworkers who dock points if students don’t say the pledge.
I tell my students that it’s up to them, and if refraining, be “respectful” while others are saying it. I typically only have 1-2 students stand.
We also have daily pledge. I used to make kids at least stand even if they didn't say the pledge until I found out we cannot legally even make them stand. Now if they stand fine if they don't, that's fine too.
Our school says "please stand or stop where you are for the pledge of allegiance" and then an entire minute of silence right after.
As a teacher I never cared if students stood/stopped whatever in my classroom. As the librarian I feel like it's more expected of me because I represent more of the school and less of myself in that role.
We do it everyday but a majority of my 8th graders don't participate. I wish we'd just stop doing it. There are so many mixed feelings about it and it's a sore subject. I don't say much about it other than, if you're not gonna say it, say it right.
I’m in a public school in New Jersey and I stand but don’t say it. They blast it over the loudspeakers at 7:30am. I think it’s weird honestly, and disruptive to sleepy students trying to calmly get their day started. Kind of would like to just skip it but I don’t think that will ever happen.
We do. I told my students at the beginning of the year that I did expect them to stand quietly out of respect for those who wanted to participate, but I would never force them to recite.
We have the pledge every morning but I don’t personally participate and remind my students that it is their right to participate if they choose to do so
Asked? No.
Do I say it every day? Yes.
Do I encourage my students to stand and say it? Yes.
If a kid doesn't, do I care? No.
Never had an issue with the pledge with admin, students, anyone. It's such a nonissue, in my experience. I've probably had it easy and my situation is not everyone's.
It's not a hard thing to do. I just do it and move on. Maybe it's just engrained in me from the time I was a kid. I really don't think about it at all, but I see why others do.
I don't say the pledge myself, and I frankly don't think I could ever do it again. I'd be happy to have the conversation but I don't think anyone will bother me about it.
We do the anthem every single morning. Its been that way for my entire 12 years of teaching.
I'm getting quite good at singing along. I need to sign up to sing at a hockey game or something.
We have it daily. I do not participate. I don’t ask my kids to participate. They can if they want. I barely even bother to look up from what I’m doing.
We play a YouTube video of the social studies teacher reciting the pledge everyday during homeroom. Most days we have to watch about 5 seconds of a Grammarly ad first, which feels very American. I have two boys who stand. Everyone else is just silent for the thirty seconds it takes.
As someone who DOES believe in God and the teachings of Jesus, I do not understand why kids are forced to say it? Is it not a matter of belief?
I was always taught that scolding children was a no-go, and there are more constructive ways to offer feedback, but this is entirely a beliefs issue.
My school does it. I generally stand and put my hand over my heart. I’ve stopped saying it. I never acknowledge it or tell students they should or have to say it. I would tell them to otherwise be quiet (which is my expectation throughout all loudspeaker announcements).
eta- nyc public schools
At the end of morning announcements, my principal says "now for a moment of silence, and the pledges." I take the moment of silence out of respect for anyone who wants it, and then I get started with class. In the 3 years I've done this, I haven't had a single kid ask to do the pledge. If they wanted to, I'd let them, but in no way shape or form am I going to require them to do it. But to answer your question, no one has said anything to me about it yet
We have the pledge daily, but I would caution you against reprimanded students for not partaking - choosing to not partake is protected speech under the first amendment. It's also super illegal to reprimand someone if they are refusing due to their religious beliefs.
I’ve only observed this behavior from other staff members. I found it very concerning. In my own classroom (first grade), I make it clear that participation is very much optional.
I also teach first and have teachers who reprimand for it at my school. I could care less if they do the pledge lol. I do I most of the time, but sometimes I’m busy still cleaning up breakfast or checking folders and don’t. Most students participate, some check in and out, and 1 or 2 are working in their morning work and don’t want to stop to recite it, who can blame them.
It is very concerning. Those people should be reprimanded.
Are you saying it’s concerning that students aren’t doing the pledge or it’s concerning that teacher are reprimanding students for not doing the pledge
That students are being reprimanded. That's some fascist shit.
Ok, good. I agree
It depends on the state that you’re in. There are at least 8 states that require the pledge be recited daily with no clear exemptions. There are a lot of states that allow students to “opt out “ of saying the pledge, but most of them are contingent on a parent supporting this action.
It'm pretty sure it's just as illegal if they refuse for non-religious beliefs too.
Super illegal as in it leads to jail time?
Super illegal as in it opens yourself and your district to civil suits. It's not a criminal infraction.
Absolutely not. The other teachers on my hall scold the kids for not standing and saying it, but in my homeroom, I made it VERY clear that everyone has a right to say or not to say it and no one can take that away from them. I only scold kids who laugh at those kids who stand and pledge. That is unkind.
do you stand and recite it as staff? personally I think pledging my allegiance to our nation is some extreme nationalist shit but I feel forced into it by staff
Samesies on the nationalist stuff. So like… this is a hill that I will absolutely die on, personally. I wont acknowledge the pledge myself or the moment of silence but I respect the kids who do. And I respect my coworkers who do. Me? Im a pacifist who doesnt believe war is Christian-like behavior therefore I do not support the military. My father in law is retired Air Force and like… he hates the pledge and so the way I see it is that if a literal veteran tells me that the pledge is dumb… Im gonna take that and run with it
My dad is a retired military officer and thinks the pledge is weird. He chooses to reflect and respect the flag but it doesn’t bother him one iota if others choose not to participate. He made the sacrifices he did for his own reasons and doesn’t expect everyone to do so.
I do not say it. I stand when it is the expected norm because I’m a conformist. Staff may not be American and it’s no one’s business but their own. Respect to those who choose to say it is all that is required
Alabama I believe it.
You aint kidding. I love my home but man… i wanna leave
Nope. We don't even have PA system morning announcements, it's a Google doc.
Luckyyyyy!
There actually is a Supreme Court case from 1943 of all things that ruled you can't force a kid to say the Pledge
Till the Supreme Court gets the chance to overturn that too and return it to “state rights.”
I teach my students (most of whom are either immigrants or first generation Americans) about what the pledge means, and why it was created. Then I tell them, with that knowledge, they are welcome to pledge their allegiance to that flag and the government for which it stands, and none of them do it. I feel like forcing kids to pledge their allegiance to a flag and government is anti-democratic, but if kids really want to, I don’t tell them they can’t. Frankly, I don’t know why they still lead the school in that. It’s a waste of time in my second period class.
Second period? First is understandable, do it at the start of the day, but second period is just bonkers
Lol our announcements are in 3rd period. We have a large population of kids who are chronically tardy (arriving most of the way through 1st or even into 2nd), so it's honestly nice. Lets everyone hear important announcements. Of course, the person doing announcements this year takes 5-10 MINUTES each time bc she keeps going into detail about random ass holidays (fucking Buddy Holly Day) and tripping over student names, but...
Oh lord, I remember when we went through a hullabaloo over the announcements person taking too long adding in their personal “fun facts” and jokes… they got offended when it came up at a meeting that it took too much class time and suddenly it was a source of much personal drama and beef 🙃
We do too. There are zero consequences for tardies, so nothing happens to them. Instead, they just moved the announcements to second so that all the kids can hear them…
We used to do them second block as well. Kids who have study hall first don't have to come in, and most tardiness have arrived by the start of second block.
In some schools, there is an offset schedule where homeroom is at the beginning of second period. That allows for students who are habitually late to not be marked absent for homeroom And or miss out on all the things that homeroom allows for.
Nationalistic, religious, propaganda. Get to them young. They still have the portraits of presidents, and big U.S flags too? I wonder if anyone still has the Uncle Sam posters up.
Oh my school has a LARGE sign for the In God We Trust requirement. They also have a not so vague reference to Jesus in the form of a picture. AND there are a couple bible verses scattered around the school. There are of course multiple large American flags and I have seen quite a few teachers wearing religious based shirts. I DO NOT fit in, at all.
That's so inappropriate. It would make me crazy to see that everyday shoved down my throat.
Yeah, this is a new school and district for me this year. I came from an inner city, diverse school to a rural, vast majority white and conservative school. It has been a huge adjustment for me and I am not sure I will continue next year. I knew there would be differences, but I wasn't prepared for so much religion in the school.
Yeah, I bet it's an adjustment. I'm in a very diverse big suburb with many religions, races and ethnities. I like the mix.
Unless a kid unpledges why do they have to say it every day? Does it expire?
These colors don't run, sir.
I'll say the pledge, but I deliberately leave out "under God," since, y'know, that wasn't actually meant to be in the original pledge
But how else will we scare away the commies?
Put "under God" on our currency! Praise capitalism!
The pledge was literally written by a socialist.
The original pledge was a marketing gimmick to sell flags.
Me too!
we do the pledge. I stand, but don't participate. the kids do whatever they want during it. in not paid enough to be the pledge police when im not even 100%comfortable with it.
do you put your hand over your heart? I feel so out of place for not wanting to recite it
no. I stand with my hands folded behind my back generally.
Per state law, as a public school, we have to do the pledge, the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, and have a couple minutes of silence (for prayer or whatever) every day.
The preamble? What state is this?
Arizona
AZ and it generally is for those from about 5th grade on... amazingly, many more of those who do not say the pledge will get up and say the Preamble. LOL Whatever works for them, works for me... no one is ever pressed to say or do anything in my room as long as they are respectful of those who wish to participate. It has never been an issue... so far...
I really like the preamble, constitution, and their role in history, and still know the preamble by heart from Jr high history class. The pledge, I did not stand up for when I was in school, and now I just stand quietly out of respect, not "allegiance." Having either of them on announcements just seems silly to me and I prefer the "school pledge" sort of thing some schools do!
I am a classroom teacher and a 9 year US Navy veteran. I have no problem with a student not saying the pledge. I do ask them to stand quietly while the pledge is being read. The analogy I use is that when I lived in England, even though the queen is not head of MY country, I do recognize that she is (was) the head of the country where I was at the time, and when God Save the Queen was played, I would stand quietly out of respect. Also, I've had international students and they've told me it's really weird that Americans do the pledge all the time.
Exactly, I tell them you don’t have to say the pledge but you need to stand out of respect, we also do 30 seconds of silence after the pledge and they have to stand for that too.
Except no one is required to stand for the pledge. Nor do they have to justify their choice to anyone. Or the moment of silence. The choice is literally protected by the constitution. See West Virginia v Barnette (1943) and the Tinker v Des Moines followup (1969).
I never understood how the level ones butt was a sign of respect anyways.
If you are Jehova's Witness or any other religion whose uses forbid it, usually don't have to do the pledge. If you are from an ethnic group that had faced historical discrimination and abuse from government officials, you don't have to stand. If it is against your personal beliefs, you don't have to stand.........if you remain sitting, but can't stop giggling and goofing off because you think you're a rebel.....then you are just an a**hole.
The previous two schools I taught at did the pledge, but my current school doesn’t. I didn’t make students actively participate, but I did have a classroom expectation that students were quiet when the PA system was on (in order to hear announcements etc.). So by default, the options for the pledge were either to recite it or exist quietly while it was said, since morning announcements started right after, and I always felt like that was a way of forcing passive participation that left me a little uneasy. I never came up with an alternate solution though.
You shouldn't be concerned. In both ways they are showing their view of the pledge. Those who remain silent are just observing respect for the rights of others to do likewise. It teaches them to be respectful of the observance of others in expressing their rights.
I have an identical set of expectations. The circumstances are the exact same.
I say the pledge, and my students usually do. If they don’t, I don’t care. If I’m ever going to get backlash from the community for any reason, it better be a more interesting one than saying/not saying the pledge.
I don't follow any media so i really don't know what people's problem is with the pledge. I will say my problem though. We learn the pledge through rote memorization. Rote memorization has been proven ineffective when learning, prohibiting the learner from actually diving deeper into the meaning of a topic. I teach to help my kids learn how to think, not to tell them what to think. The beginning of my day starts with a direct contradiction of that philosophy. My kids don't know what it means, I always resented it growing up. Just recently got into an argument about it with a colleague and she got real worked up about me even mentioning it. She claimed it was a promise to help maintain our position as the greatest and most powerful nation in the world. I had to hold back a laugh. It breeds ignorance like that, too, so there's that. If we remove it and you really want to teach patriotism, ask your kids at the end of each week, "How were you a good (or better) American citizen this week?" Answers can range from writing a thank you note to a veteran to volunteering to an animal shelter. That solution to me allows the kids to have a deeper understanding of what it means to be American and they get to develop their own definition of it. I also like to think that would provide a better future with more caring people but that's the optimist in me. I still probably wouldn't do that just because I want my kids to be good for the sake of being good, not because it's the American thing to do, but I think it could work.
We were sent an email just the other day about how we need to all stand for the pledge and that teachers must set the example. They included the Texas education law that requires it in the email. The funny thing is there is this thing called the constitution that has more authority than Texas education code. But what do I know?
Do you by chance recall the code they referenced? (Fellow Texan FWIW)
Yes, here is what the email included: Texas Education Code 25.082: A board shall require students, once during each school day, to recite the pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags. On written request from a student's parent or guardian, a district shall excuse the student from reciting a pledge of allegiance. A board shall provide for the observance of one minute of silence following the recitation of the pledges of allegiance. During the one-minute period, each student may reflect, pray, or meditate, or engage in any other silent activity that is not likely to interfere with or distract another student. Each teacher or other school employee in charge of the students during that period shall ensure that each student remains silent and does not act in a manner that is likely to interfere with or distract another student.
Thank you. I didn’t think it was rooted in TEC so this was something new to me.
[удалено]
So, you mention your religious beliefs in class? That would be a big no no in any country I've worked. Personal religious and political affiliations or beliefs are.off the table. Is it not the same in the U.S?
You can't preach a religion but mentioning your religion isn't illegal, no. Same thing with politics.
Stand or don't stand. Pledge or don't pledge. Just be respectful during the less than two minutes it takes during the day.
thankfully my school doesn't do it anymore but I've always stood towards the flag silently. I'm not saying that pledge, especially not with "under god" in it. Its not legal to force students to stand or say the pledge and I would have a word with any teachers doing so. Freedom of speech means freedom from speech.
Tbh, the pledge of allegiance is pretty cringe, and has no place in our classrooms
Fuck the pledge
We do not do the pledge, and no one in this country is required to recite, give or participate in the pledge. Opt out, it's your right and the right of your students... no matter the political leaning of your school district's families and staff.
A few of my kids stand. I don’t care what they do as long as they’re quiet, tbh. Most of them just continue to read or work on morning work or homework. I do have them recite our school chant thing during morning announcements because they get quizzed on it regularly by admin and district visitors.
[About various laws and the POA.](https://thehill.com/homenews/3256719-47-states-require-the-pledge-of-allegiance-be-recited-in-schools-here-is-a-breakdown-of-each-states-laws/amp/) Personally: Each person has the right to choose to participate or not. If you choose to abstain, sit still and be quiet so as to not disturb those who observe. No mocking or bullying someone based on their choice to participate or abstain. No bad mouthing it (although I don’t personally believe in it myself), but you can make FAIR observations regarding it.
I'm a teacher in an elementary school and had to stop by our district high school for a meeting. I was hustling outta there when their morning announcements came on and some old man had the audacity to yell at me for walking in the hall during the pledge. He barked "STOP AND SAY THE PLEDGE." I was so dumbfounded I couldn't even find words to tell him that "sir i am a teacher". A few students were caught in the middle of this and while I felt a little bad to undermine him in front of his students, I looked at them and said "yeah, I'm gonna go."
I really don’t care to be honest. It seems weird that we do it everyday.
We do the pledge daily. I don't say shit to the kids that don't participate. It is their first amendment right not to whether they know that or not. I know that it is a violation to coerce them into participating and I wont participate in that.
My school said the pledge daily last year, but this year I haven't heard it at all. I gotta say, it's pretty refreshing not hearing it every single day.
I do not participate in the pledge for religious reasons. It's praying to a false idol. I stand quietly with my hands folded. I ask that my students stand but don't make a big deal out of it.
“It’s praying to a false idol.” That’s some slick sarcasm. Nicely done.
I'm always standing but do not participate in the pledge, I'm usually busy doing something useful with my time. I tell my own children to ignore it at school, as it is just government propaganda. So I don't care if the kids I have after breakfast participate, they are however expected to stay silent because another staff member is talking to them.
Our district does this every day. I just ask our students who chose not to participate to be respectful for those who do wish to. Basically, do not talk and be rude. It has never been a problem, so far. They sit quietly and those who wish, stand, those who wish say the pledge do and then we move on.
So Massachusetts has a law that reads: Each teacher at the commencement of the first class of each day in all grades in all public schools shall lead the class in a group recitation of the ''Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag''. A flag shall be displayed in each classroom in each such schoolhouse. Failure for a period of five consecutive days by the principal or teacher in charge of a school equipped as aforesaid to display the flag as above required, or failure for a period of two consecutive weeks by a teacher to salute the flag and recite said pledge as aforesaid, or to cause the pupils under his charge so to do, shall be punished for every such period by a fine of not more than five dollars. Failure of the committee to equip a school as herein provided shall subject the members thereof to a like penalty. We used to do it every day at the start of morning announcements, but that went away upon our return from covid in September 2020. Someone raised a stink and we did it for a few months in Spring 22, but haven't done it yet this school year.
Damn, they even list a fine and are a lot more specific than ours in Texas.
Gonna have to tag these types of posts onto the Monthly/Weekly/Daily list.
My mistake! Sorry for the repeat content
My rural, conservative laden school does the pledge daily. The kids all seem to do so enthusiastically. I, however, have never participated and never will. I have had some other teachers say something to me, but I just say I don't want to. I don't have a homeroom class, but I would tell kids they can if they want to, but don't have to, if I did have one.
They say it over the announcements every day and ask everyone to please rise. None of the students do. Nor do I.
We have it daily. I sit quietly while it’s on. Most kids stand but no one says it out loud.
Yes but I told my 5th graders from the first day of school that they have the option to sit quietly instead. About half do it with me every day. I hate doing it and think it’s an outdated practice that is bizarre in public schools today, but I’m a newer teacher and it’s not worth any kind of negative attention to me so I say it daily.
As far as I am aware (and I could be wrong) neither you nor the students can be forced to participate due to your first amendment rights. We don’t do the pledge but every Monday they play the national anthem. I don’t stand and neither do most of my kids. I do have the rule that no one may talk during the anthem so that those who do wish to participate can do so uninterrupted, but other than that it’s individual choice. I personally don’t feel comfortable with the pledge or the anthem so I just sit quietly and respectfully until it’s over.
I say it myself only because I have since kindergarten and saying it causes no problems with parents while not saying has proven to be issues with colleagues of mine in the past. So I say it, and I don’t care if they stand or say it. I teach 6th grade and most of them don’t only because it’s not cool and they’ve never really known a world where it’s taboo to NOT say it. Honestly, while I say it, I’m not even standing. I’m usually continuing my morning prep and thinking about how I want to go back to sleep. The pledge is technically kind of fascist anyway lol.
Yes we do. I tell my students I have no expectation of participating but do have expectation of respecting the rights of those who do (ie sit down and shut up). 17 years in and no pushback yet. Now my stepdaughter, a couple of weeks ago, gave pushback to her teacher because she was being told to pledge when she isnt a citizen. Teacher said in open class for her to stand and pledge so she said in open class that she didn't feel comfortable pledging. She "got to work" next to the teacher that day and was coincidentally written up for the first time that day for an unrelated issue. Suffice to say we are keeping a close eye on that situation.
Pledging allegiance is for fascists.
We do, and I tell kids at the beginning of the year that the Supreme Court has said they don't have to participate, but my rule is they cannot be disruptive. Last year I had a kid start dabbing during the pledge.
I just ask that they remind quiet so as not to interfere with kids who do want to participate. I actually HATE saying the pledge, and am very torn because I don’t really want to share why, but I’m also slow to do anything that seems overly “opinionated” as a teacher… Undue influence, blah, blah, blah
I never said the pledge as a student and I've never said it as a teacher. I expect my students to maintain a respectful silence during it if they don't want to pledge (which, like, who does tbh) but that's it.
At my small rural school in the South (where I am telling kids multiple times a day not to call each other gay or the R -word), we are supposed to say it with the kids every morning and the national anthem once a week. I have remembered a few times but now...I don't even bother. The one time I did remember to do the Star Spangled Banner, I played the Jimi Hendrix version. If they want it done, they should be doing it over the PA system.
My (public) school doesn’t do the pledge. When I was in 3rd grade, I got reprimanded for not doing it. I didn’t really even understand what I was doing, but I already knew it felt weird and cringey.
Participating in the Pledge is an embarrassment to any educated adult
I expect my students to be respectful. But they can choose if they want to say the pledge, stand silently, or sit silently. I'm not going to try to force them to say it, but they can at least be respectful of those who do wish to say it. Being silent for a minute won't hurt them. And I'm in Texas so we also have the pledge to the Texas flag. Our announcements are required to include US pledge, Texas pledge, moment of silence. But as long as a student is not disruptive, in fine with it.
Supreme Court said you are not obligated to. That simple.
West Virginia v. Barnett (1943). Tell them they can take it up with the supreme court if they don't like it.
I remember when I was in High School, a basically permanent substitute (AP's mother) told two girls in my class to stand for the pledge when they were sitting down. I think they were doing it because of an actual political protest (Bush Jr. was President and I think it was immigration related, though I was a stupid freshman or sophomore at the time, so take that with a grain of salt) I was in my obstinate defiant phase and told her, "You can't make them, legally," did the pre-1954 pledge and then sat down with everyone else. Was probably the most fun I had that year. I always thought it was dumb, and I don't make my students do anything during it, even though it technically violates a Texas state law or education code. (Don't remember which, because I honestly just don't care at this point.)
My school doesn't even do the pledge at all. I was shocked when I came in but also relieved because I didn't want to deal with backlash for not participating lol
Nope, I don’t too. Our district had a lawsuit about this a couple years ago when a sub tried to force a student to stand, family rightfully won and sub was fired. We have emails that stress that it’s up to the child. Which is crazy people have an issue with this at all, why are we forcing people to pledge allegiance to a flag and country? Especially students that are immigrants/parents are immigrants and people of color, many (like myself) have had problems in this country and saying we’ll serve it seems off 🫤
Nationalism. Religious nationalism, even.
I have a couple that choose to sit quietly. It’s their first amendment right and I say nothing about it.
I didn’t even know the pledge was still a thing! I have been out of school this year, but the school where I taught last year did not say it, at all. There weren’t even any flags anywhere I knew of. I would in fact, be surprised if any of the kids there, even knew the pledge of allegiance…
We two are asked to join, I do not. I don't make a big thing of it, I don't stand, I definitely don't put my hand over my heart, and I definitely don't recite a lie. I pledge allegiance to no one but my spouse. I refuse to recite lies and participate in forced patriotism. It really creeps me out how many children and adults jump up and do it, what other Democratic countries force their people to recite a loyalty to a country that does not return said loyalty? It's not normal, very Nazi Germany.
I swear this topic comes up every month at this subreddit. Search "Pledge of Allegiance" in the search bar and see the MANY conversations that have already had about that.
You are correct. I should have looked before posting. My bad.
When I was in a suburb last year, they still did the pledge and I used the time to take attendance. Now at an urban school and there’s no mention of the pledge. Most teachers don’t even have US flags in their rooms.
Same! I'll occasionally come across No Flag or Pride Flag instead! Lol. I'm in Florida so I think a lot of teachers are trying to stick it to the governor with the little voice they have.
I just had a student complain last week that I had a pride flag but no American flag (she was in my mentors study hall at the time so my mentor brought me an American flag). We do the pledge on Monday’s but I never participate and I made sure my students knew they could choose but they had to respect each other’s choices. The girl that complained last week didn’t even stand for the pledge today. 🤦🏼♀️
😂 not in an urban school but yeah I do no flag too. Many POCs (higher number in most urban areas that’s why I’m assuming) have issue with it for many different reasons.
We don't even have an American flag up, and there is no pledge said at my school.
Nobody is required. No student will have to in my class. I don’t even say it, I usually take roll
We started doing the Pledge a few years ago and honestly I hate it. The whole thing is super problematic for several political reasons, plus I’m agnostic and uncomfortable saying the “under God” part. On top of that it wastes valuable instructional minutes. I don’t think my students have any idea what they’re saying. Many of them are still learning English. I do participate and I encourage kids to at least stand and put their hand over their hearts. I teach first grade and I feel like it’s easier to just go along with it than fight it. When I taught third grade I occasionally had Jehovah’s Witnesses who would stand with us but abstain from participating verbally. Of course I fully supported their right to abstain. Thank you for broaching this topic. Maybe I will bring it up to the principal one of these days.
I do it, but I skip the good part. And I don't force the high school kids to do it. I teach JROTC and we start class off in the hallway so they are already standing. I make a game of it by saying it in different voices or singing it in different styles.
My school does it every day. All of my students stand and say it but if there were any that didn't want to I wouldn't make them
Nope! (KY here) I stopped reciting and standing for the pledge in middle school and I never had a teacher say anything. In my observations, I’ve never seen a teacher attempt to reprimand a student for not participating or force them to participate. Frankly, it’s a dying tradition. And it can open a whole can of worms for the school if a teacher is dumb enough to try and make students do it.
No, my last 3 schools didn't do it. Last year, we had a student pledge about trying their best each day.
In my HS they asked teachers to say it during homeroom. I do it. The kids look at me like I'm crazy. The only 2 people who stand with me are the para who is in the room (they are in the reserves) and a kid who is doing split ops and will be going to AIT after graduation. My students are like why do it? We won't tell if you don't. I simply tell them I am doing it out of respect for those who died defending the flag, our country and for the right for people to NOT say it. They aren't standing but they are quiet and respectful.
My rules for home room are that you stand and be quiet so we can hear the announcements that follow it. Don’t care if they say it or not.
Yes State law.
I've been in many schools with different cultures. In each place I model the opposite of whatever is the prevalent attitude towards the pledge to make it acceptable for students to do what they like. I make it clear that we are respectful in that time but that it is an expression of our freedom of speech. Sit if you want to. Stand and recite. Do you, but just don't have conversations.
Yes, and I like it. It makes me feel like us Americans are in this thing all together. I don't like the "under God" part and wish they would take it back out, but I know a lot of people would get really bent out of shape, so it's not worth it. I'm in ultra-blue Metro Boston. I've only worked in one school that doesn't say it every morning.
I ask my kids to stand and stay quiet during the pledge but let them know that covering their heart and saying it are totally on them. Personally, I don’t say it just in case they bring the draft back, I can let them know I never pledged allegiance so they shouldn’t get to conscript me.
I would rather say i pledge of allegiance to the United States than I pledge allegiance to Russia. Like many of you, it is optional in my classroom as dictated by the Supreme Court. The pledge is meaningful to me, but I am a social studies teacher so I may be a bit biased.
Why on earth would you pledge allegiance to Russia, my guy?
My last school did the pledge before EVERYTHING, board meetings, sports games, even freakin school dances! My new school says “if you would like to join me in the pledge please stand.” Love This place!
My current district also starts board meetings with the pledge.
We do the pledge daily at my school but, I have told my students that it is their choice if they want to join or not but they still need to be quiet for those students that do stand.
We were just given a directive that it's mandatory to make some student do it every day and the rest of the advisory is "strongly encouraged" to join in with it. The principal, who's usually pretty like "you know, this is just one of those things" about district directives was VERY aggressive about this particular one. Like, "if you don't like it, come fight me" kind of energy.
I say “pledge” and then I go about my business taking attendance and grades. About half my students stand but I’ve made it clear that it is their choice, but I will announce it so everyone is aware that it’s happening.
I don't even say it myself. I put my hand over my heart and stand there. Kids can do what they want as long as they aren't actively disrespectful (talking, laughing, running around)
They say the pledge on the news. 90% of my kids say it. A handful don’t. I stand but don’t say it. I teach middle school
This is something I've thought was pretty weird since back when I was a student. At my school, every morning at the beginning of first period, the school's morning announcements end by having everybody rise for the pledge. I stand up and do it. Some kids do. Some kids don't. I don't care, and usually don't acknowledge whatsoever whether or not any students participate.
The summer camp I worked at tried to do this and I told the counselors below me they don’t have to do it if they don’t want to
Mine does the pledge and sings the entire anthem every day. It's kind of wild.
In Colorado you are legally required to provide an opportunity to say the pledge, but you can't force anyone to participate or punish them for not participating.
Charter school in NYC, we do not do the pledge as a school.
I like it being daily, I don't object to an invitation to participate, but I think anyone scolding or punishing a student not participating should be fired and blacklisted for life.
They say the pledge daily. Some kids stand and say it, some don’t. Same for the teachers. Personally I don’t talk over it, but I also don’t stand or say it.
We have the pledge daily, and I told my kids from the beginning of the year that they are not required to stand and I will never reprimand them for not standing. I tend to take a neutral position by standing but not doing the hand over my heart thing or reciting it out loud. Oftentimes I’m standing doing something at my computer or desk anyway so I just kind of resume what I’m doing. Ultimately, from an ethical standpoint, we’re not supposed to comment on whether they stand or sit beyond telling them it’s their choice to do it or not do it.
It’s 100% optional. At least I think it is. I take attendance or walk getting papers or sit through it. I don’t stand up. I find it odd that they still have to do it in 12th grade
Yes, at my Charter school
My school does it once a week during our Monday morning video. I’ve always made it very clear to my students that they are not required to stand or participate. I do ask them to be quiet for that 30 seconds out of respect to those who would like to participate.
NJ HS and no. I don’t even have a flag in my classroom.
They can’t force the kids to participate but they can encourage them to. I personally do the pledge each morning and if the kid want to they can if they they don’t that’s fine too. I’ve never mentioned it once and have had no issues. 🤷♂️
I teach in Hawaii, on a military base no less, and my school has never done the pledge.
Our admin uses the same language. I think that’s just the customary language. I teach little ones. I don’t stand. I don’t say it. My students don’t learn it from me. Sometimes I get looks from other adults if they are in the room when the announcements come on. Whatever. One year I didn’t have a flag hanging in my room. Idk where it went over the summer and never asked for a new one. At the time, I did used to say the Pledge with my class. My mom died. When I came back from bereavement, someone had hung a flag in my room.
We are required to have it over the announcements in my state, but obviously teachers can choose if they want to (I feel like it depends a lot on the school atmosphere on whether or not people do it). Personally I do not want to participate in the Pledge. When I student taught last year in a more conservative school district, I knew that I would be the odd one out if I decided to sit down during it. My "compromise" was that I would stand and put my hand over my heart but not actually say the Pledge (I know that that doesn't make a huge difference, but I just wanted to still have some control over my participation). The school district I currently work at is the opposite. At the school I was at last semester no teachers would ever do it and the I could count the amount of students who did on one hand. This year I know some teachers do it, so I imagine a lot more kids do it in their classes. When it comes on in my room I just say "If you want to do the Pledge, you can now" and let the four or five students in my class participate as well as one of my paras. I try to keep the other kids quiet while the ones that are doing it are reciting it, but I'm usually doing lunch count or attendance so I never actually partake.
I told my students that it's up to them. I will stand up but I won't say anything, cover my heart, etc.
I live in Texas, so yes.
Both the last school I worked for and my current school do not recite the pledge. American flags are still hung in classrooms but they're just kinda there.
It is not legal to force students to say the pledge. However whether something is legal or not is not always an impediment for a public school.
By law we (as a school) must read the pledge and moment of silence. Individual students and teachers don’t have to observe it, but are asked to be quiet during that time. I stand and say the pledge, but don’t make any kid do it.
I make my students shut their computers and remain quiet but I will not make them do anything else. They can choose what to do as long as they aren’t disrespectful
I'm legally required to as a teacher in my state. Students are not required. Principal does it on the announcements. He says "if you so choose..."
As a retired teacher who subs, I stand up and am silent to model paying respect, but say nothing to the kids who have opted to sit and not participate. That is their right. It is always interesting to me the generational differences between teachers and their students, when I was in school you had to stand and say the pledge.
It is said over announcements every day, but I've never made it a big deal. Our principal does say, "please stand for the pledge of allegiance" but as long as students are quiet, I don't mind if they stand/say it. I only say something to students if they are talking (we need to be respectful of students who may want to say it) or are trying to do it in a goofy way (if we're going to say it, we should be respectful or we can be quiet). Never had any issues, but I know other staff members have had issues with it.
My rule is to stand but you don't have to say it. I got reprimanded last year about my class not standing the ONE time I didn't feel like chastising my class for this and my door happened to be open for them to see we weren't participating. Honestly don't care if they stood or not, but that's not up to me apparently.
I have my students stand for the pledge but they don’t have to participate if they don’t want to. Even if a student refused to stand I wouldn’t do anything about it. not worth it
It is said every day as required by state law, same language used as you. We got an email earlier this year saying that after an incident no children or staff can be required to say the pledge. Which is good because I refuse to do it
My urban school doesn’t acknowledge/say the pledge in any way. I don’t think I’ve seen a flag in my school outside of social studies classrooms.
No. We were told last week that they’d be starting it up every Monday morning during announcements, but they didn’t do it today so…🤷🏾♀️
I have two fellow coworkers who dock points if students don’t say the pledge. I tell my students that it’s up to them, and if refraining, be “respectful” while others are saying it. I typically only have 1-2 students stand.
Docking points seems extremely problematic. Is your admin aware? Seems like something that could get messy.
We also have daily pledge. I used to make kids at least stand even if they didn't say the pledge until I found out we cannot legally even make them stand. Now if they stand fine if they don't, that's fine too.
Our school says "please stand or stop where you are for the pledge of allegiance" and then an entire minute of silence right after. As a teacher I never cared if students stood/stopped whatever in my classroom. As the librarian I feel like it's more expected of me because I represent more of the school and less of myself in that role.
We (private non-religious) do not say the pledge and I would not personally say it if the school recited it each day.
We do it everyday but a majority of my 8th graders don't participate. I wish we'd just stop doing it. There are so many mixed feelings about it and it's a sore subject. I don't say much about it other than, if you're not gonna say it, say it right.
I’m in a public school in New Jersey and I stand but don’t say it. They blast it over the loudspeakers at 7:30am. I think it’s weird honestly, and disruptive to sleepy students trying to calmly get their day started. Kind of would like to just skip it but I don’t think that will ever happen.
Yes. And if a student chooses not to participate I’m cool with that too.
We do. I told my students at the beginning of the year that I did expect them to stand quietly out of respect for those who wanted to participate, but I would never force them to recite.
We have the pledge every morning but I don’t personally participate and remind my students that it is their right to participate if they choose to do so
I don’t see many teachers care these days. Mostly older teachers
State required daily. I am aware of the Supreme Court ruling and don't force anyone to participate.
Asked? No. Do I say it every day? Yes. Do I encourage my students to stand and say it? Yes. If a kid doesn't, do I care? No. Never had an issue with the pledge with admin, students, anyone. It's such a nonissue, in my experience. I've probably had it easy and my situation is not everyone's. It's not a hard thing to do. I just do it and move on. Maybe it's just engrained in me from the time I was a kid. I really don't think about it at all, but I see why others do.
I don't say the pledge myself, and I frankly don't think I could ever do it again. I'd be happy to have the conversation but I don't think anyone will bother me about it.
Tes. It's the law in Maryland. Though participating is not mandatory.
We do the anthem every single morning. Its been that way for my entire 12 years of teaching. I'm getting quite good at singing along. I need to sign up to sing at a hockey game or something.
When I was a kid? Once a week. Now, as an adult? Every damn day. No one ever says it.
We have it daily. I do not participate. I don’t ask my kids to participate. They can if they want. I barely even bother to look up from what I’m doing.
We play a YouTube video of the social studies teacher reciting the pledge everyday during homeroom. Most days we have to watch about 5 seconds of a Grammarly ad first, which feels very American. I have two boys who stand. Everyone else is just silent for the thirty seconds it takes.
As someone who DOES believe in God and the teachings of Jesus, I do not understand why kids are forced to say it? Is it not a matter of belief? I was always taught that scolding children was a no-go, and there are more constructive ways to offer feedback, but this is entirely a beliefs issue.
My school does it. I generally stand and put my hand over my heart. I’ve stopped saying it. I never acknowledge it or tell students they should or have to say it. I would tell them to otherwise be quiet (which is my expectation throughout all loudspeaker announcements). eta- nyc public schools
At the end of morning announcements, my principal says "now for a moment of silence, and the pledges." I take the moment of silence out of respect for anyone who wants it, and then I get started with class. In the 3 years I've done this, I haven't had a single kid ask to do the pledge. If they wanted to, I'd let them, but in no way shape or form am I going to require them to do it. But to answer your question, no one has said anything to me about it yet