Student Leaders Shine on Flag Duty

Responsibility is one of the most key aspects of a student’s growth. For one group of Abraham Lincoln Elementary School students, added responsibility can help facilitate both leadership and civics education.

Flag duty at ALES is facilitated by Kathy Ross, a retired teacher and long-time volunteer, and is a leadership learning opportunity.

“As a group, we meet once at the beginning of the school year and again in the spring to review the task expectations and a schedule is made for a two person team to raise and lower the flag each day school is in session,” Ross said. “Students have duty for a week at a time.”

Students cover a broad stretch of flag rules, Ross noted.

“In the session, we learn flag protocol and then practice the protocol,” she said. “Some of the tasks covered are the proper way to fold the flag as well as the correct way to raise and lower it. They learn teamwork, citizenship, and responsibility in this task which is a part of all five of the learner profiles for LC Schools.”

Flag etiquette is something that many don’t often understand. The Veterans of Foreign Wars administration lays out flag etiquette frequently broken, even by well-meaning Americans. This etiquette includes things like not using the flag as decoration, not leaving it up 24 hours unless well illuminated, and not wearing the flag as clothing.

Students tasked with flag duty are not only learning these intricate rules, but they’re also learning the history and importance of why these rules are in place for the American flag. Through this hands-on opportunity, they’re able to meet a variety of objectives from the Learner Profile initiative.

As Ross pointed out, they’re communicating with each other in lowering and raising the flag. They’re problem solving should a flag-bearing partner be absent. They’re learning responsibility through their duty. They’re engaged citizens by being hands-on with American history. Ross said they’re also showcasing the lifelong learning initiative because students are consistently explaining the dos and don'ts of flag protocol to other friends and classmates.