Brief moment of silence really has no significance

For many students, the new moment of silence has had little impact on their daily routines. Mostly it has meant a few more seconds trying to avoid a teacher's reprimand for forbidden speech during the announcements.

Though some don't regard pause as an all-out breech of their rights, they don't regard it as a particularly useful moment either. Regardless of whether the moment of silence is constitutional -- it is unnecessary and of little practical significance.

Proponents of the law have tried a number of ways to support it: arguing it is constitutional because it's a moment of "silence," not specifically of "prayer;" arguing that, whether used for prayer or not, the moment provides students a chance to de-stress, saying it may help prevent youth violence.

That's a pretty high expectation for about 10 seconds as observed at Naperville North, especially when many accept the moment but defy the silence or use the time for a quick cram session.

I find I notice the fleeting seconds only as their end is proclaimed and the announcements begin.

We all can find 10 seconds in our day if we need it. I found 10 seconds of silent reflection between the last two sentences of the last paragraph and, if I were really stressed out and it were absolutely necessary, I bet I could find another 10 seconds now.

If some students want 10 seconds for prayer or to assemble their thoughts, it doesn't mean the entire school should be forced to abide by a law of questionable constitutionality. They can have their own moment by their own initiative before school.

Just because the moment of silence is mandated does not mean a moment of prayer or reflection is. It's up to the individual what they do with their moment, and it's up to the individual to reflect or to pray, just as it is outside of school hours.

Why mandate 10 seconds of nothing?