They say it in the morning at our school and play the national anthem before announcements. The teachers have the words in their rooms on a poster, mostly in younger grades. No one is forced to say it or sing, just to be quiet during this time.
I wouldn't discuss it at a PTO meeting. I'd talk to the principal or school board about it.
I would also suggest you approach the principal about this. It's an issue that involves and affects parents but I wouldn't start the discussion/debate in a PTO meeting. Talk to him/her first and then go from there.
I am agnostic and I have no problems with the pledge. I just don't say the words "under God". My allegiance is to my country, so I don't see the big deal some folks make about it being said in school.
I don't think this is a PTA issue though. A parent issue, yes. I would approach the principal and ask why and then go from there. The reason may be acceptable to you. If it isn't, then go to the Board of Education. There are several avenues for you to get across your opinion without involving your parent group which should be non political and the pledge definitely can be a political issue.
I'm not sure where to put this post or if it would even involve our PTA. My son attends a K-5 public school which is has many diverse cultures. It was brought to my attention that our school does not say the Pledge every morning and that our children do not even know it. My friend found this very embarassing when her Brownie troop went to a camp out and the girls from our school just stood there when the others were saying the Pledge of Allegience. I asked my son if he knew it and he said no. My daughter went to the same school for K-5 and said that they quit saying it when she was in the 3rd grade.
I have a real problem with this. I understand that not everyone in our school is an American, but this is America and this is something that my child should be taught and should be given the opportunity to say. I work in the school system and other schools say the Pledge every morning so it's not a district thing. I find this deplorable. They also have no idea of any of our patriotic songs...not even the National Anthem!! I learned these songs in grade school.
As PTA president, is this something that I should bring up at the meetings? I know that other parents have this concern also and I'm sure there will be some backlash from parents that come and are not American citizens.
