Here is the FCPS guidance as provided by our principal:
"Staff or Students Choosing to Kneel or Sit During the Pledge of Allegiance or National Anthem
We have received reports that teachers and students are sitting or kneeling for the Pledge of Allegiance. We provide this guidance, and reminder of existing FCPS policy and regulation, in the event that teachers or students at your school are engaging in such activity during the school day, or if they refuse to stand for the national anthem at school-sponsored athletic events. Under federal and state law, teachers and students do not lose their First Amendment rights when they enter the school house door. Consistent with that, FCPS Policy 1352 permits students and teachers not to participate during the Pledge of Allegiance. If a teacher declines to lead the students in the Pledge, you may have an administrator or another teacher lead the students in the Pledge. Similarly, if coaches or players refuse to stand during the national anthem, they should be permitted to do so, but another coach or administrator may stand with those team members who wish to stand. A coach should not require or encourage his players to sit or kneel for the national anthem. That is an individual decision to be made by the player and his/her family.
As provided in Policy 1352, “no student shall be subjected to unfavorable comment or stigmatization of his or her decision to participate or abstain from the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Nonparticipating students are expected to sit quietly, or to stand silently if they want, during the Pledge and to engage in no disrupting or distracting activity. No disciplinary sanction may be imposed for refusal to participate in saying the Pledge; however, willful disruption or interference with the exercise of pledging allegiance by others may result in the same disciplinary measures accorded to other instances of classroom disruption in school.”
If a teacher or other staff member is going beyond refusing to participate in the Pledge and is using time during the Pledge to disrupt the Pledge or other time during the instructional day to state their personal political views, that is not permitted and could be cause for disciplinary action. All employees of FCPS, including teachers, are expected to use non-work time and personal resources to advocate their personal political views.
The preparation for effective citizenship includes the study of issues that are controversial. The study of controversial issues shall be conducted in an atmosphere in which knowledge can be freely imparted and the critical thinking of students can be developed through research and classroom discussion within the guidelines of the Program of Studies. Teachers should follow the procedures outlined in Regulation 3280 for how to best deal with controversial topics in the instructional program.
The previously mentioned policy and regulations can be found at the links.
http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=867S9S2A6763
http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=867SLM2A919B"
I am still uncertain that the guidance is legal based on the US Flag Code (UNITED STATES CODE-TITLE 36-CHAPTER 10) which is federal law
As a veteran, I support everyone's right to protest as an individual - assuming they are willing to accept the consequences of their protest.
As a team member, especially in uniform, you need to understand you are representing something bigger and it is not about you as an individual.
Try to share with your son some truth:
1. You will never earn respect for yourself or your cause by dishonoring someone else.
2. The history and the true meaning behind the flag - several websites dedicated to this effort including
http://www.usflag.org/colors.html
3. The history of the National Anthem - it was written in 1814 after most of DC was burned by the British as a call to unify the country. (Interesting to note the person who wrote it was politically opposed to the current president.) It is a call to honor everything that unites us and recognize those who have served to keep us free.
Stand for the flag and for the National Anthem. If you really feel strongly about an issue DO something that will actually make a difference. Get involved locally, get an education, petition to change legislation, and vote when you are 18. That is your right as an American citizen...and yes...your are welcome...