Schools hesitate over moment of silence

How long is a "moment?"

Starting Friday, the Illinois legislature now requires students to begin each school day with a moment of silence, a bit of silent reflection not required to be religious.

A random sampling of Northwest suburban schools on Friday reveals that hardly anybody did.

School officials said they'll comply, once they figure out what's required. For the record, there are no penalties legislated for schools that ignore the requirement or forget to follow it.

Similarly, there are no guidelines for how long the moment should be.

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 Superintendent David Schuler told his principals in an e-mail to hold off until he hears back from the Illinois State Board of Education.

"We're not sure how long the length of the moment should be or if teachers should lead the moment at the same time every day," said Buffalo Grove High School Principal Patrice Johannes.

For years, Illinois law has allowed for a moment of silence at the start of each school day. But it was merely allowed, not required.

This year, a group of lawmakers, all Democrats, moved to make that moment mandatory. It was overwhelmingly approved but vetoed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who cited constitutional concerns. In recent days, lawmakers cast aside that veto.

When the House on Thursday put the final piece of the override in place, the requirement immediately became law.

Other local school districts contacted -- Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211, Barrington Unit District 220 and Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 -- say they are waiting to hear from the state board.

A spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Education promised the agency will inform local school districts of the new requirement.

"Implementation will be up to the individual districts," added Matt Vanover.

Maine West High School Principal Audrey Haugan said the Des Plaines school will start observing the moment Monday, before the Pledge of Allegiance is recited and announcements made.

"We're going to start the day with the moment of silence," Haugan said.

One little word, one big debate

In Illinois law books, only one little word is being changed -- "may" became "shall." That change means a moment of silence at the start of each school day is now required rather than allowed.

Here's the text: "In each public school classroom the teacher in charge shall observe a brief period of silence with the participation of all the pupils therein assembled at the opening of every school day. This period shall not be conducted as a religious exercise but shall be an opportunity for silent prayer or for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day."