Son with special needs 7years old sent to the principle office for not pledge to the flag.?

Question

My son how is 7 years old with special needs was sent to the principle office for not pledge to the flag. He does know how to pledge to the flag. So should I say something to the teacher and what would you do. thank you

Answer 1

So when you talked to the teacher, was it just because he didn't do the pledge, or was he doing something else like disrupting the class? In my class, students have to stand and they have to put their hand on their hearts, but I don't go around and make sure that they are all saying the pledge. I don't have any special needs kids in my class, but if I had a student that, for whatever reason, did not normally do the pledge, it wouldn't matter to me. But, if they normally did the pledge and knew what that was, I would expect them to do it.

Answer 2

Yes, I would have a word with the principal.  If your son is special needs, there should be room for accomodations in his behaviors and/or school work through his IEP (individualized education plan) which should be in effect since he is labeled special needs.  Sometimes you just have to raise some h**l at the school to get them to understand your kid's needs are different than the average student.  GOod Luck

Answer 3

I'd certainly go to the teacher.  

First I would ask what really went on.  Maybe there is more to the story.

Second, if he was sent to the principal because he wouldn't say the pledge I would find out why.  Have you asked your son?  Was he being defiant or was he uncomfortable, or does he have a special need that actually warrants this refusal?

Third, I would bring that information to the teacher first, and then the principal.  They should understand what is going on.

Answer 4

Its not a law to pledge to the flag. They cant get him into trouble for not doing that. plus hes retarded.

Answer 5

It sounds to me like everyone is jumping to conclusions and getting hyped up without knowing the whole story.

Just because a child has special needs doesn't mean they are excused from doing things they are supposed to do and requested to do in class.  A child with special needs shouldn't be disciplined or sent to the principal's office?  That's ridiculous!  That's an insult to special needs people everywhere, saying that they are incapable of knowing and doing right from wrong and shouldn't be held accountable for their actions.

The child knows how to "pledge to the flag."  Does this mean he knows to put his hand over his heart, or how to say the pledge?  What exactly was it that he did not do in class?  Was he talking/playing while the pledge was being said?  While it may not be a law that he has to say the pledge the teacher does have every right to expect him to stand quietly and respectfully while everyone else says it if he is capable of doing so.

Why did he refuse to do the pledge?  It's obviously not a religious issue because he does know how to do it.  Was it a result of his disability?  Did he refuse simply to be defiant, get attention, escape something, etc.?  If a child who has a learning disability chooses to be defiant or act the class clown, that behavior should not be excused simply because he is special needs.

You've stated that your child is not mentally handicapped, either, so this isn't why he refused to do the pledge.  So why?  What was his motivation?  Is this a regular, daily problem?  Does this happen often throughout the day?

Before you go screaming to the school board and prinicpal talk to the teacher and your child and find out more about what happened.  Then you can decide what action to take.

Please remember - children and adults with special needs, no matter what they are, still need discipline.  For the most part, with few exceptions, they are able to determine right from wrong, and by failing to discipline them and hold them to common behavioral standards we are doing them a tremendous disservice and crippling them for life.

Answer 6

RIGHT AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

GO TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND DEMAND TO HAVE HIM PLACED IN ANOTHER SCHOOL WITH A SPECIAL ED CLASS!!!

NEVER PUT UP WITH THAT!

HE IS DISABLED!

Answer 7

As stated above, no one can be forced into saying the pledge.

My question is this: does he have a behavior intervention plan in place? If it was due to behavior, then is sending him to the Principal's office even an effective behavior modification? Maybe he wants to leave, it could be an escape for him.

Answer 8

Yes say something to the teacher........  I was raised a JW and was not alowd to pledge allegience to the flag.... and they couldn't say anything about it.......   Its not something they can get any kid in trouble for.....  especially when they dont know how....

Answer 9

Yes, I would find out what really happened and I would talk to the principal and the teacher. It blows my mind that he would get in trouble, other students do not pledge to the flag for different reason. He has special needs and they need to make accommodation.

I know in California if students have a IEP then they can not get into trouble for their disability, if he has limited language then that is part of his disability. As a teacher it is important for parents to get involved. I would let everyone know you are concern and just wanted to hear the whole story. Its sad but parents must stand up for special needs students because the education system will not, especially in a full inclusion class.

Answer 10

NO one has to say the pledge of allegence. It's unconstitutional to force them to, or to punish them for not saying it. Now, if most people were rude or disrespectful in place of saying it, then it is appropriate for them to be sent to the office. That's not true for young children or those with disabilities.

For a child with special needs, then you have to have a manifestation hearing. Is the behavior part of his disability? Since your son does not know the pledge, I imagine that you should have that written into the IEP that he be taught. Even if he was acting up, it could be part of feeling left out during that time, and that too should be addressed with the principal.

Additional questions. When did you find this out? Since he has special needs, I would request that anything he's sent out of the classroom that you are called immediately by the principal. You are an equal member of his education team and have the right to know this information. The principal should have called you right away. Meet with both he and the teacher to discuss asap.

Answer 11

my lil brother is special needs and i think that was horrible :/

you should DEFINITELY go to the teacher or the school board about this. Its your responsibility as a parent to make sure your child is in an environment with tolerance for the special needs.

The pledge is one thing but imagine the other ridiculous complaints they'll have later on.

Answer 12

There is something seriously wrong with the teacher's brain if this really happened this way. I suspect something else happened as well.

In ANY case, it is inappropriate to send a special needs child to the principal. I would ask for a meeting with the principal and the teacher so that you can get a full understanding of what happened. At the meeting, tell them that you expect the school to have a plan for handling behavior problems for kids with special needs.

If they tell you that going to the principal IS the plan, then demand an IEP meeting. At the meeting, tell them team that you want a behavior intervention plan designed specifically for your child so that he doesn't end up in the Principal's office. Then it is law.