Are these normal school policies?

bare w/ me, details are important in this case. Thank you :) We live in Massachusetts, USA and I'm a little concerned about my child's school. I attended one the morning meetings that the school does every morning w/ the children. At the end, the children were all FORCED to recite the Pledge of Alligance. That was the first unsettling moment I had. I'm not anti-american, I'm anti-cults. My next moment came when me and my child arrived early to school in our usual fashion, we walk. Having forgot tissues for my child's runny nose I figured it would be no problem if i popped into one of the school's bathrooms to attend to the snotty mess. As we exited the bathroom a teacher stopped us and informed me that parents are not allowed inside the school w/out an office pass...yes a hall pass! I was taken back but have kept to their rule. Today the Vice Principle takes me into the office for a chat about my child's alleged behaviour. She later informs me that in order for me to walk the halls freely w/ my child I'd need a background check first. Is this security or something more? If the school is THIS secure then how come last year a little girl was almost kidnapped by a man who still hasn't been apprehended? Should I be worried about this school or is this merely how all schools are due to the times we're living in?