Well this ought to be fun...

Our son started fourth grade one week ago. Friday dinner, while reviewing the week my wife asked "So do you say the Pledge of Allegiance each morning?" The 4th grader hemmed and hawwed saying "no we never have".

Well they used to... As the school is a local polling place, I've been on campus to vote when they recited the pledge over the school PA system.

Said spousal unit was reviewing said 4th graders school folder and came across the following:

xxxxxx* Elementary School Pledge
I Pledge to live this day as a responsible person who cares. I will accept others and celebrate our diversity. I will act in such a way that I will be proud of myself and others will be proud of me too. I have come to school to learn and I will learn. I will have a great day!

Whiskey - Tango - Foxtrot???

Needless to say we have a problem with their dropping the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag in favor of demanding our son Pledge Allegiance to the school, and diversity! Our son makes friends with anyone. There isn't a racist bone in his body and we certainly don't teach it here at the SandCastle. But I won't have diversity shoved down my son's throat in all it's PC-ness and certainly not allow him to pledge allegiance to the public school! Many members of both my wife and my families have served this country and a cousin is over in Iraq today.

Hmmm... Quick search of the Arizona Revised Statues turned up this gem (Emphasis mine):

15-506. Flag, Constitution and the Bill of Rights display; recitation of the pledge of allegiance; exemption

A. School districts and charter schools shall:

1. Purchase United States flags that are manufactured in the United States and that are at least two feet by three feet and hardware to appropriately display the United States flag and for grades seven through twelve, purchase a legible copy of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights that is manufactured in the United States.

2. Display the flags in accordance with title 4 of the United States Code in each classroom and upon or near the outside of the school building during school hours and at such other times as the school authorities direct. For grades seven through twelve, the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights shall be placed adjacent to each classroom flag.

3. Set aside a specific time each day for those students who wish to recite the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.

B. Private schools, parochial schools and home schools are exempt from the provisions of this section.

This ought to be fun... It appears the school may be violating the law!

* For now I'm withholding the school identity. Spousal unit will be talking with the teacher in the AM. Expecting a satisfactory resolution I will not slime them ahead of this discussion.