PINE BUSH – As part of Pine Bush High School’s celebration of Foreign Language Week, a student read the Pledge of Allegiance in Arabic on Wednesday, leading school district officials to issue a “sincerely” apology.
“To honor National Foreign Language week and in an effort to celebrate the many races, cultures and religions that make up this great country and our school district, the foreign language department planned to read the Pledge of Allegiance and morning announcements in different languages this week,” district officials said. “The intention was to promote the fact that those who speak a language other than English still pledge to salute this great country.”
But following an uproar from students, the district issued the apology “to any students, staff or community members who found this activity offensive. In our school district, the Pledge of Allegiance will only be recited in English as recommended by the commissioner of Education.”
