On September 8, Niles North students received a surprise no one saw coming. The Pledge of Allegiance was read over the intercom during homeroom.

For many, it was the first time hearing it since elementary or middle school. The unexpected moment sparked flooded questions: Why now? Is it coming back for good? And who made the call? 

According to Assistant Principal Kosta Kougias, the school is simply following Illinois state law. 

 “The school is required, under Illinois Statutes Chapter 105, to play the Pledge of Allegiance every day,” Kougias said. 

The Illinois Law, 105-ILCS 5/27-3 requires public schools to recite the Pledge every school day. The law was last updated in June of 2020. Still, many students and even staff noted that this hasn’t been enforced at Niles North, at least not recently. 

Marcus Gahm, a member of Viking Voice, the team responsible for morning announcements said the decisions came out of the blue. 

“So, I don’t exactly know why the Pledge started after so long,” Gahm said. “We got to the PA room, and they just told us, you guys are no longer doing the ‘Good Morning Vikings,’ we are just saying the Pledge of Allegiance. This was sprung on us.” 

As of now, the Pledge will only be read on days where there are announcements typically Monday and Thursdays. That means it may not be a daily occurrence despite the legal requirement. 

“[The] Pledge will be recited during homeroom on days where there are announcements,” Kougias said. 

Sister school, Niles West has already been saying the Pledge during announcements for some time but students there say it’s mostly ignored while playing. 

“People don’t do the Pledge,” Niles West junior Landie Colon said. “In fact they actually ignore it. The announcements will be playing and everyone is still on their phones.” 

As the school adjusts to the change, students and staff are left with questions, but for now the Pledge is back at Niles North.