I completely agree with this ban on the pledge at least. The school grounds have their own rules and as much schools do already, praying and doing religious practices is not really allowed at school. Those times are during class, or the actions done like recruiting or making other forced to believe in a god.
The pledge of allegiance made all kids from when they can speak correctly to senior year, in some school, always say it all even if you are Buddhist or even Atheist. This is a form of forced religion at a large scale, but small dose. Just saying "Under God" is making you pledge to the "General God" which is unfair and also horrible for most people. Now I know that it's not too big of a deal and people revolt, or whatever you want to call it, by not even saying the pledge.
The school I went to, just for a base of my opinion and also for example, always did the pledge like any other school but also made us stand and say it. I, from around 5th grade, haven't said the pledge again since I always disbelieved any religion. Now I do not force, contribute, or perform anything to tell others to do the same nor gather others that do not believe in the "faith" to recruit others. I also believe that atheist is just another religion, but just to go against the common or all around world religion of any faith around that area.
This is all opinion and I say believe in what, who, or also practice in any shape or form to your hearts content; but school is for educational practice, but religious practice. That is why they always give you the option to make a group for after school activities (correction if wrong?) to do any religious actions or rituals that do not break any laws. Beliefs are fine, as long as you do it on your own time, and not the school's.
>.> I like this topic, even if I might be a bit late on this one.