A Pennsylvania school nurse at Wilson Middle School in Cumberland County reportedly refused to treat a middle school student after the student declined to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
According to reports, the nurse asked, "Why didn’t you stand for the Pledge?" when the student sought medical care in her office. Under federal law, students have a right not to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance, and the student explained her rights to the nurse.
The nurse reportedly replied, "Fine! Then leave! I have the right to not service you!"
Medical personnel are not within their rights to refuse treatment to people because of religious or political differences. If reports are true, the school nurse acted unprofessionally and in a way that could have harmed the student. When acting in a medical capacity, people need to put their patients' health first.
Please sign the petition to urge the Carlisle Area School District to issue a public apology to the student, and to clarify that their policy, in line with federal law, does not require students to stand for the Pledge.
We, the undersigned, are concerned with the reported conduct of a nurse working in your school district. As you may know, a Pennsylvania school nurse at Wilson Middle School was accused of refusing to treat a middle school student after the student declined to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
According to reports, the nurse asked, "Why didn’t you stand for the Pledge?" when the student sought medical care in her office. Under federal law, students have a right not to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance, and the student explained her rights to the nurse.
The nurse reportedly replied, "Fine! Then leave! I have the right to not service you!"
Medical personnel are not within their rights to refuse treatment to people because of religious or political differences. If reports are true, the school nurse acted unprofessionally and in a way that could have harmed the student. When acting in a medical capacity, people need to put their patients' health first.
We respectfully urge you to issue a public apology to the student, and to clarify that their policy, in line with federal law, does not require students to stand for the Pledge. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
