Discipline Too Far

An apology has been demanded of a Montgomery County middle school after a pupil was escorted from the premises by police after refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance. “The unidentified student was mocked by other children in her class and has been too traumatized to return to Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown, according to Ajmel Quereshi, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland who is representing the family. A school spokesman said Tuesday that the teacher’s actions were a clear violation of the school’s regulations, which are based on state law. The teacher, who also has not been identified by either side, will have to apologize to the student, spokesman Dana Tofig said. ‘The policy is very, very clearly stated,’ Tofig said. ‘Our teachers are expected to know the students’ rights and responsibilities. . . . A mistake has been made, and it will be rectified.’ Quereshi said that as of Tuesday afternoon, no one from the school had contacted the girl or her family to resolve the issue. The teen’s mother tried to schedule a meeting with school officials but was told they would not meet with her if she wanted to bring a lawyer, Quereshi said.”