The National Anthem is Apparently Negotiable?

School isn't just about learning math, science, and english.  School is also for teaching our children social protocal and social behaviour.  When you line up at school and walk on the right hand side of the hallway it's to teach you how to move through society.  It's the side of the road you'll eventually have to drive on and when we go to the mall, which side of the mall do most people stick too?  If you look at crowd of people walking in Canada, most stick to the right.  That's not because it makes most sense, it's because that's the side they were taught to walk on from kidnergarten to grade 12.  I mention this, because I just found out that Morgan has not been standing for the national anthem at school.  WHAT?

I figured there must be a logical reason for this.  Maybe it's because the kindergarten kids haven't learned it yet or something?  I looked into it a little further and found there to be no specific policy at the school board which requires schools in our division to play the anthem in the morning.  WHAT?  Other school divisions just north of us have it in their policy that schools in their division are required to play the national anthem every morning, as they should.  There are even other schools in Airdrie that play the anthem everyday.  So, I proceeded to ask one of the teachers today, "why hasn't Morgan been standing for "O Canada" on Friday mornings?  I understand why he may not be standing the rest of the week, because he's an afternoon kid, but he also goes Friday morning and I just assumed he'd get it them."  Well, apparently not.  They ONLY play the Canadian national anthem at his school once a week, on Monday morning.  That's it!!!!

My hands are metaphorically in the air throwing my imaginary papers around as I shake my head in displeasure and disbelief!  I may need to choose a different battle, because I'm so insensed by this that I may not be the most level headed person to explain to them why it's EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to play the anthem every, single morning! 

The only way it will become second nature for the children to stop dead in their tracks when they hear O Canada, with respect for their country, is if their school makes it a non-negotiable action, like standing in line and walking on the right side of the hallway.

As far as I'm concerned, if flying our flag is a daily requirement, then the anthem should be a daily requirement as well!!!!!!   If our sporting events play it before every game and our tv channels play it at the end every sign off, then the school should be playing it everyday. 

Everyone else in this country knows it's important for the kids to stand for the national anthem every morning and why! Our neighbouring school board understands, so why doesn't our school board?  Our board should require it and nothing less!  Regardless of board policy not being specific enough, other schools in Airdrie play the national anthem every morning!  If other schools see the importance, why doesn't ours?

The times will never change enough for "O Canada" to be negotiable!




As long as Morgan's school has it this way I will be playing "O Canada" at our home, everyday before he leaves for school.  If we're running late, then so be it, we're still standing at attention for our country, for the 1 minute and 30 or so seconds in this house.  When we arrive late I will have no problem explaining that we are late, because we stand and sing the anthem everday, no exceptions!