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Pledge of Allegiance
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Mandatory for all schools to set time aside
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Vol. 3, Issue 2
“
ecently, a new law was unanimously passed by the Nebraska Board of Education making it mandatory for all
Nebraska’s public schools to set time aside to recite the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Every morning, at Elkhorn South students stand and say the
Pledge of Allegiance as it is broadcasts over the loudspeaker.
Section 4 of the flag code states: The Pledge of Allegiance to
the Flag: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Should
be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the
right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should
remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and
hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons
in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the
military salute.”
Pledge of Allegiance does teach students patriotism, to respect
their country, and honor those who fought for our nation to
remain free. However, after reciting the pledge for six years in
elementary school and in middle school, students get the picture.
It is a little overkill to ask students after a certain age to recite the
The Pledge of Allegiance does
teach students patriotism, to respect their country, and honor
those who fought for our nation to
remain free.
”
Pledge of Allegiance every morning like Kindergartners.
The school sets aside time every morning during TA for high
school students to recite the Pledge over the morning announcements. For students it’s considered a waste of time and it’s not
taken seriously. The pledge is looked to as something for elementary school students, not for teenagers.
The Pledge of Allegiance has been recited in elementary
schools and middle schools in the state of Nebraska for years.
“It’s a small act of valor on our students’ part to participate
in the freedoms that they are given,” Jim Sheer, president of the
Nebraska State Board of Education said.
The Pledge of Allegiance has inspired controversy over the
years. It was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, without the
phrase “under God” and was endorsed by Congress in 1942, during World War II.
The original form read “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the
Republic, for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all.”
The pledge was first used in public schools on October 12,
1892, during Columbus Day in Chicago Illinois. The Pledge was
supposed to be quick and to the point. Bellamy designed it to be
recited in 15 seconds.
A year later, the Supreme Court allowed the Pledge in public
schools but said children could not be required to recite it. In
1954, Congress added “under God” in response to the Communist threat of the times. In June 2004, the constitutionality was
challenged.
The Supreme Court avoided making a ruling on the case due to
a legal technicality. There is little doubt that other challenges to
the Pledge will end up back in court.
According to the new law, it states that time must be set aside
every day to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Maybe schools could
use this time for something else more productive.
Fast Facts
The Pledge
of Allegiance
was written
in 1892
It was endorsed
by congress in
1942 during World
War II
“Under
God” was
added in
1954
It was ruled
Constitutional in
2004
Elkhorn
South
High
School
Patrick
Thomas