I've taught my children to think for themselves and to avoid adopting a religion based only on their parents religious beliefs. Of my three children I have two that are atheists and one that is christian.
My youngest daughter (an atheist) received a classroom assignment to memorize, write and recite The Pledge of Allegiance to her peers and teacher. On Friday the teacher will have 34 4th grade students orally recite The Pledge, one after another in series, to be critiqued and receive a letter grade.
I have witnessed first hand my other child being ostracized and threatened with a trip to hell by his classmates for having opted out of the pledge, and that was during a group recital.
Tomorrow my daughter will be forced to stand front and center of her classroom, facing 34 peers and her teacher, and decide whether she should "opt out" or pledge her allegiance "under God."
I wrote the letter (below) yesterday. If I don't receive a response by Friday I intend to take my daughter out of school for the day and visit the local children's science museum. I'm trying to make lemonade out of lemons.
I am open to any advice, please let me know what you would do. Thanks.
*** LETTER TO SCHOOL BOARD BELOW *****
July 13, 2011
xxxxx Unified School District
Board of Education
123 xxxx Avenue
xxxx, CA xxxxx
Dear President xxx xxxx, Members of the Board and Cabinet,
Students at xxxx Elementary are to be graded on their ability to write and individually recite The Pledge of Allegiance to their teacher and peers. This mandatory graded assignment is above and beyond “appropriate patriotic exercises” as defined by the California Education Code 52720 and your Unified School District Policy 5610.
Please note that the recital which I am referring to is in addition to the daily group recital of The Pledge of Allegiance at the start of class.
This mandatory recital violates the Free Speech Clause (Amendment I) of the United States Constitution, the Establishment Clause and court decisions such as West Virginia State Bd. Of Educ. V. Barnette and Newdow v Rio Linda. Specifically, mandatory recital violates the student’s ability to refrain from reciting words that do not reflect one’s belief without punishment or vindication. Even if the student were allowed to opt out of this assignment then the student would face ridicule and ostracism.
My child started 4th grade this week at xxxx Elementary School in Mrs. xxxx’s class. Her first homework assignment is to memorize, write and publicly and individually recite The Pledge of Allegiance to an audience of her teacher and peers. She will receive a letter grade on her ability to individually recite The Pledge to the class on Friday July 15th. My child informed me that she only mouths the words "under God" during the daily Pledge as to not attract attention to herself while maintaining her atheist views. She told me she does not believe in "g.o.d." (spells out) and is worried that her teacher will "get mad at her for the rest of the year" if her parents get involved. My child specifically asked me NOT to contact the Principal, xxxx xxxx, because she is concerned this will bring negative repercussions from her teacher.
Moreover, this captive audience of 9 year old children will be exposed to over 30 Pledge recitals as each classmate stands front center and confirms his allegiance to “one nation under God.” This mandatory recital is part of the teaching curriculum and comes across as an attempt to indoctrinate captive children.
My child has already suffering emotional injury and continues to until this illegal situation is remedied. I expect The Board to handle this matter immediately and discreetly as to limit the impact on my child’s emotional well-being prior to the July 15th Mandatory recital.
Sincerely,
Cheney
