General Info > Flag Etiquette

When to Display the Flag

How to Fly the Flag

National Anthem

Saluting the Flag

Care and Respect for the Flag

Flag Standards

Disposal of a
Worn Flag

Board Policy on Patriotic Exercises

When to Display the Flag

    At the school site, the flag should be displayed on all days when the school is open, weather permitting.  It is customary to display the flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings or on stationary flagstaffs in the open.  The flag should be displayed on or near the main administration building of every school.

Saluting the Flag

    To salute the flag, all persons come to attention.  Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute as specified by the uniform service.  Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over their heart.  Men with a head cover, a hat or cap, remove it from their head and hold it over their heart.
     In parades, at the moment the flag passes, all non-uniformed persons should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts.  Persons in uniform should face the flag and render the formal salute.
     For information about the Pledge of Allegiance, please click here.

National Anthem

     The national anthem is the Star-Spangled Banner, written by Frances Scott Key in 1814.  When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute, by placing their right hand over the heart, at the first note and hold the salute through the last note.  The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.  If in uniform, the person should salute in the formal manner.  It is proper to salute wherever the national anthem is played, for instance, on a college campus, in a public park, in a church, at a ball game, sporting events, etc.

Care and Respect
for our Flag

     The United States flag should always be treated with the utmost care and respect.
     Always display the flag with the blue union field up - never display the flag upside down, except as a distress signal.
     Always carry the flag aloft and free - never carry it flat horizontally in processions or parades.
    Always keep the flag clean and safe.
    The flag is a symbol that represents all of America.  It is not a political symbol.  It is a symbol that each American should respect, for it represents the honor, courage and sacrifice of those who struggled to deliver freedom, justice an opportunity to all Americans.

Disposal of a Worn Flag

How to Fly the Flag

     The flag should be raised and lowered by hand.  Never, raise the flag while it is folded; unfold the flag and then hoist quickly to the peak of the flagstaff.  It should be lowered slowly and ceremoniously.  The flag should never be allowed to touch anything beneath it, such as the ground or the floor.
     The flying of the flag at half-staff, is a sing of mourning.  When flown at half-staff, the flag should be first hoisted to the peak, then immediately lowered to the half-staff position.  It should be raised to the peak again for a moment before it is lowered for the day.  "Half-staff" is the point midway between top and bottom of the flagstaff.  On Memorial Day in May, the flag should fly at half-staff from sunrise until noon, and at full-staff from noon until sunset.  By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States, Government and the Governor of a State, as a mark of respect to their memory.  In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, the Governor of that State, may proclaim that the National flag may be flown at half-staff.
     No other flag may be flown above the United States flag except at the United Nations Headquarters.

Flag Standards

     The flag of the United States is a living symbol that calls to our spirit, reminding us of the greatness of America.  We cherish and uphold it because it is the standard of honor under which we live.
     We view the flag with devotion, for it represents out national heritage of noble deeds, splendid accomplishment, and untold sacrifices which combined to establish the moral character of our country.  Our flag is a symbol that combines our past and present and makes the present a foundation for tomorrow.
     The flag signifies a people dedicated to liberty, justice and freedom for all.  It is our companion around the world.  The flag summons confidence on sight.  There is a magic in its folds that continually renews the hope that this nation, under God, will long be an example everywhere for all who love freedom and honor.
     We give homage to the flag because it stands for the courageous, earnest, and unselfish experiences of our people who have given us strength as a nation and pride as citizens.  We respect our flag because we have respect for our fellow citizens, and because our love for country finds its center in our flag.
     The customs and traditions which surround the display and use of our flag are guides to the means by which we as proud and grateful citizens may demonstrate the ultimate respect for the flag of our nation.  In honoring and saluting our flag we demonstrate affection for our nation, fellow citizens and the proud inheritance and future we share.