According to junior Caroline Garland said since the high school began reciting the Pledge of Allegiance on April 18, she has noticed a majority of students in her first period class not reciting the pledge.

“I have noticed some classmates doing it, but it’s not really a big deal,” Garland said. “As long as the class is all semi-quiet during it, it seems like the teachers are just fine with it.”

According to Principal Scott Meyers, under School Board Policy 531 and Minnesota Statute 121A.11, the high school is required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  

“My hope is that it gives an opportunity to students that have requested that we do this to have the moment of reflection and that we are in compliance with the School Board Policy,” Meyers said. “It appears to be going well.”

According to Garland, the last time she remembers frequently stating the Pledge of Allegiance was at Park Spanish Immersion (PSI).

“At PSI it was just a thing we did everyday,” Garland said. “I wouldn’t say I know it in Spanish very well either, but I don’t know if there’s any difficulty in not knowing the pledge when I’m not really trying very hard to do it.”

Freshman Michael Boxley-Harmon said he has also noticed students sitting down during this time and respectfully allowing their peers to take part in the statement of the pledge if they want to.

“I just sit down or I don’t even hear it sometimes, so I just kind of ignore it,” Boxley-Harmon said.

According to Meyers, the dynamic in the high school has not been altered as a result of the Pledge of Allegiance Policy.

“Now, I haven’t been in many classrooms, but on some of the Monday mornings I’ve tried to duck in and just see,” Meyers said. “I’ll say I haven’t noticed a lot, obviously except the change that’s occurred.”

Boxley-Harmon said he feels students are more aware of the option to not participate in the pledge, which is outlined in the School Board Policy.

“Since the topic has been brought up by Colin Kaepernick, about the National Anthem and everything, I feel like nobody cares anymore about it so they just sit down. They know their rights and know they don’t have to,” Boxley-Harmon said.

According to Meyers, he has not heard any reports involving the enforcement of the Pledge of Allegiance policy and encourages students to use resources available to them if they encounter any difficulties.

“I’m hoping that people would report right away to the student office or to me if they felt like in some way this change has caused a concern for them individually,” Meyers said. “They could stop in and talk with us to make sure that we address that part of it.”