Moment of silence is a waste of time

Our Illinois state legislators must have too much time on their hands. They have voted to override Gov. Blagojevich's veto of what I would consider one of the silliest laws ever.

It amends the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act to require (instead of allow) a teacher to observe a brief period of silence at the opening of every school day with the participation of all pupils assembled. Effective immediately.

Bearing in mind that there was already an Act allowing this, we must now require this in all public schools in Illinois.

I would like to know how long this "brief" moment that the teacher is required to enforce will last and how it will be conducted at the schools my children attend.

I am deeply concerned that this is an infringement on my children's right to a public education and a violation of the constitutional separation of church and state.

My children reflect "on the anticipated activities of the day" in the way that suits them and our family and have no need to repeat an obligatory reflection at school. In fact, just as they (hopefully) eat a good breakfast and have a good night's sleep, all children who have a need or desire should perform their silent reflection prior to arriving at school so they can get down to the business of learning. A required high-protein drink might make more sense in education than a period of silence and take about the same amount of "brief" time.

Oh, wait, it's easier to fund a brief period of silence.

I imagine there are a number of teachers and school professionals who feel that their time could be better spent attempting to raise students' scores to comply with the federal (largely unfunded) requirements of No Child Left Behind than to sit in silent contemplation of the absurdity of both of these laws. I empathize with the ridiculous mandates imposed on educators and fear for the potential future of a good public education.

Kathryn Salzano

Elmhurst