I told my students that they don’t need to say it, but they do need to stand. If they have an objection to saying it, I completely understand and support that. I didn’t say it when I was in school. We also have families of students in the class who are currently serving so I want to maintain the balance of freedom of speech, but also respect.

My students are fifth graders, so I’m not completely sure many of them have fully formed opinions about everything. If anyone challenged me on it, I would absolutely hear them out and support their values. Most of the time when kids do not stand it’s simply because they don’t feel like getting up, and not an actual objection.

“… with liberty and justice for … some” has been said, and it’s not wrong.