School drops Pledge of Allegiance during ceremony

By Bob Heye and KATU Web Staff

PORTLAND, Ore. - The exclusion of the Pledge of Allegiance from a southwest Portland elementary school's ceremony has proved upsetting for a local mom.

Departing fifth-graders at Capitol Hill Elementary usually open their promotion ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance - but not this year.

"I was sad," said parent Briana Reese. "The flag was sitting up there, you know. Two of the kids went up and they said 'Everybody rise,' and we rose, and I thought for just a second 'Oh yeah, we're going to put our hands on our hearts and we're going to salute the flag' - but no."

Reese had heard that the principal planned to take the pledge out of the ceremony.

"I think that's what they should be doing - telling kids you should be pledging your allegiance to this country," Reese said. "This is a great country. You're here for a reason."

The pledge was instead replaced with a singing version of the preamble to the Constitution.

KATU tried repeatedly to talk with Principal Pam Wilson but got no results. However, in an e-mail response to Reese's questions, she explained the pledge was removed "out of respect for the diversity of religious faiths."

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More PC Bullshit! I'm sick of it! The Commie BS that never ends: 13. Do away with all loyalty oaths THis pinko bitch principal removed the Pledge because of Muslims?!?! What? They don't believe in God too? This bitch principal is a Liberal fascist, plain and simple. And what is with this "Promotion Ceremony" for 5th graders anyway?!?! What is that crap?! Toughen up! THIS is what you have to do! You are required to move up in grade levels! I am sick of this pansy ass Liberal PCBS!

Send this bitch principal an e mail to let her commie ass know that this is NOT acceptable!

Phone: 503-916-6303
Fax: 503-916-2616
E-mail: llittler@pps.k12.or.us Grade levels: K-5
Principal: Pam Wilson