Arabic Reading of Pledge of Allegiance at Pine Bush High School Creates Anger

A Hudson Valley high school’s celebration of foreign language week has turned into a huge controversy.

According to the Times Herald Record, Pine Bush High School was celebrating national Foreign Language week on Wednesday. The schools regular morning announcements were being read and they included the Arabic reading of the pledge of allegiance. This was met with anger from students and some faculty.

Andrew Zink, senior class president, reads the morning announcements and told the Times Herald Record that when he was asked to allow the reading to take place in Arabic, he agreed, but added "I knew exactly what would happen, I knew many wouldn't support it."

Later in the day, high school Principal Aaron Hopmayer made a building-wide announcement explaining the reading's context and apologizing to students who took offense.

According to the Times Herald Record this is the apology that was read...

"We sincerely apologize for having the Pledge of Allegiance recited this morning in the High School in a language other than English. 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. The intention was to promote the fact that those who speak a language other than English still pledge to salute this great country.

We sincerely apologize 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."