I don’t see why the schools should be required to uniquely celebrate the choices these recruits have made versus the choices that college bound seniors have made, or those that have chosen to NOT continue education for that matter.

The choices these recruits have made for their future is no more and no less commendable than the choices others have made.

National Honor Society recognition is appropriate as it represents the accomplishments of these students in their time at high school.

I’m sure these recruits will have plenty of opportunity for recognition and valor in their future careers in the military.

Here is the letter in its entirety….
As a two-time finalist for appointment of Trustee within the last 18 months, I have met most of you face-to-face. I submit this request to you, as mom of 3 BSD kids, and a Borah High grad myself. My oldest son is a college senior and will be working at the United Nations next semester. My youngest is a 4th grader at Monroe, and my middle child, Connor, is graduating from Borah next week, and leaves for Basic Training in July.
This week we received the graduation ceremony “procedures”, which included expectations for dress. Also noted was that only school issued stoles may be worn, and the only special stoles allowed are for National Honor Society students. I sent Assistant Principal Ms. Ochoa an e-mail letting her know that Connor will be wearing the stole provided to him by the US Army; and her response was that it would not be allowed per Policy. I then called Deputy Superintendent Lisa Roberts and she explained that there is no Policy, only “procedure”. She stated that the stoles are restricted to NHS due to the can of worms that could potentially be opened with numerous special interest groups that would also like stoles.

Respectfully, last time I checked, the Army, is part of the United States Government, and is not a special interest group. These stoles were purchased with federal dollars. I am appalled that in a school district where our students say the Pledge of Allegiance daily as a show of patriotism and support for our country, why can we not show the same support for those who will be defending our country?
There is some presumption that students joining the military are doing so because they can’t get into college, can’t get scholarships, etc…. That is not the case. First, look at the elite standards required to join any of the Military Academies. In my quick research, I found the following statistic: Less than 30 percent of all high school seniors could even qualify to serve in the military. Most (sadly) couldn’t meet the physical fitness requirements, couldn’t pass a drug test, and/or couldn’t score high enough on the military examination to enlist. Connor scored high enough on his ASVAB that he had multiple specialties to choose from across all of the branches of military.

Additionally, last week the school sent out an e-mail asking for scholarship/college info to include in the Graduation program. I don’t recall that there was a request for information from ROTC or military recruits. They too have the opportunity to receive thousands of dollars for college and living expenses AFTER they serve our country. Regardless, they should be recognized by name and military branch in the program.
Had I known that these are the “procedures”, I would have initiated this contact much earlier; but I have not known other high school students enlisting in the military. You don’t know what you don’t know, which I hope is the case for many of you.

My request is this:
1. For this graduation cycle:
*All ROTC members at all BSD schools should be allowed and encouraged to wear their uniforms and/or military stoles the entire ceremony;
*All military recruits at all BSD schools should be allowed and encouraged to wear their military stoles for the entire ceremony;
*Inserts should be created for all BSD schools to include in the graduation programs that recognize ROTC and recruits. (I will commit to fundraising and making this feasible for Borah High School, if necessary.) *And/or, during the graduation ceremony, these individuals be recognized for their service.
2. After the Trustee elections in the Fall, I would like to put together a committee of students and parents, to address the long term solution; and create a Policy.

Nancy J, I don’t have the answer to your question. However, when voting we may have elected public servants that didn’t have OUR interests in mind? When the potential president of the US alluded that grabbing pussy was okay or backing a convicted pedophile for re-election these decisions could of had something to do with the demise of morality. Then when the president has a substantial following encouraged to hanging public servants and storming OUR capital how patriotic is that? Maybe WE have elected public servants that don’t have our interests on their radar screen.

The presenttion of the flags is the ceremony for the military and the cadets. C’mon.

“The General” nailed it.