Adopt the "Moment of Silence" for US Schools
The Issue
We all want to do something to create positive change in U.S. schools.
But how?
The "Moment of Silence" is a brief period of reflection or meditation at the beginning of each school day. Since the mid-1980s, the movement has gained adherents in the U.S. and beyond as many schools, public and private, have begun to start their days with a moment of silence and reflection.
"Moment of Silence" is currently mandated for public schools in 12 states and encouraged (but not required) in another 25. It is legal everywhere in the United States. The children who participate in this program reap the benefit of an injection of meaning at the start of the school day. (Much of the information in this summary is taken from this article.)
Schools throughout the world have adapted it with proven and positive results. More info here.
Our goal is to have the "Moment of Silence" implemented into all 50 states. The current system of education necessitates the need for something to be done to enhance the positivity and wellbeing of all mankind. This is an educational, inclusive moment for students of all ages to pause and reflect and allow their thoughts to uplift.
According to a Pew Research study, 84% of teenagers favored a "Moment of Silence" in their school. See here.
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WHAT DOES A MOMENT OF SILENCE DO?
- One, it is a powerful experience. If you have ever participated in a memorial service in which everyone is silent for a minute or two, you probably know what it is like. Time seems to pass more slowly, as everyone is united in a communal ceremony of thoughtful silence.
- Two, it promotes self-control. It is not easy to be silent and still for a full minute or two, and the younger the child is, the more difficult it is. So when children practice silence for a minute or two every school day, they develop self-control. The ability to stay silent is probably enhanced by the fact that everyone else is doing it, too. Even kids with generally poor control are more likely to be still when they see everyone else around them doing it.
- Three, when the Moment of Silence is conducted at the beginning of the school day, it sets the mood for the rest of the day.
- Four, it is a form of meditation. The benefits of meditation have already been well established by scientific research.
- And the fifth factor is the one that has to do with the particular component Rabbi Schneerson added: instructing kids to discuss with their parents what they should think about. This may be the single most crucial factor for the success of the program.
(Taken from this article.)
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IS IT LEGAL?
Because of its inherently non-sectarian and secular nature, a "Moment of Silence" has confidently weathered litigation and is currently permitted or mandated in 34 states. One judicial setback was Wallace v. Jaffree (1985), when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Alabama’s state law overstepped the boundaries of the permissible in the wording and intent of their statute.
According to the Pew Research Center, it was Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s “concurring opinion that has influenced subsequent lower court decisions,” since O’Connor wrote that “she would have upheld the Alabama law if the legislature had shown a genuine secular purpose in passing it. Indeed, she explained, school-led moments of silence, unlike school-led prayers, are often permissible because they are not inherently religious and do not coerce participation in a religious act.”
In fact, the State of Florida already has a “Moment of Silence” law on the books, statute 1003.45 stating, “The district school board may provide that a brief period, not to exceed 2 minutes, for the purpose of silent prayer or meditation be set aside at the start of each school day or each school week in the public schools in the district.”
(Taken from this article.)
-
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT DURING THIS "MOMENT"?
Yes, if, and only if, the moment of silence is genuinely neutral. A neutral moment of silence that does not encourage prayer over any other quiet, contemplative activity will not be struck down, even though some students may choose to use the time for prayer. (See Bown v. Gwinnett County School Dist., 11th Cir. 1997)
If a moment of silence is used to promote prayer, it will be struck down by the courts. In Wallace v. Jaffree (1985) the Supreme Court struck down an Alabama “moment of silence” law because it was enacted for the express purpose of promoting prayer in public schools. At the same time, however, the Court indicated that a moment of silence would be constitutional if it is genuinely neutral. Many states and local school districts currently have moment-of-silence policies in place.
(Taken from this article.)
-
HAS IT HAD ANY PROVEN POSITIVE EFFECTS?
A growing body of evidence from scholars attests to the concept’s positive impact on the student body, although none of it more powerful than testimony from principals of those schools where it has had a tangible impact. In the words of the administration of P.S. 191-The Paul Robeson Elementary School in Brooklyn, N.Y.
“When we introduced it several years ago overall student attendance was down, parent participation was low, and student achievement was climbing but not at the rate that everyone was hoping for,” read a 2013 report. “Our students required, and still require, a greater need to be listened to. Our students required new ways of dealing with emotions and crisis. Our students needed the time and an outlet that would provide an opportunity to understand the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of their experiences. They needed to become more contemplative . . .
“Since then it has become an ongoing, transformative experience. The Moment of Silence provided the students an opportunity to become more mindful and reflective of their experiences inside and outside the classroom. The students have become more introspective in their writing and have a greater appreciation, empathy, and understanding of their peers . . . Students have also gained a greater understanding of educational objectives.”
"The impact on the kids has been to the extent that some have been doing it on weekends," explained Rabbi Shuey Biston, director of outreach at Chabad of Parkland, who was counseling, praying and attending to the needs of grieving families almost without break after the shooting in the high school there that left 17 dead. "It sets the tone for the rest of the day."
In the words of one rabbi advocating for the concept in a meeting with Gov. Rick Scott of Florida after the Parkland high school shootings, “A voluntary ‘Moment of Silence’ means taking 60 seconds, and saying ‘today, think about what you can do to be a better student. Today, think about what you can do to be a better human being."
(Taken from this article.)
(More evidence posted here.)
-
WHO ARE WE?
We are just a couple of ordinary citizens trying to bring good into the world and "do something" after the tragic events this month at Uvalde. If you're here and signing this petition, you're just like us—you believe in the potential good of a "Moment of Silence" and hope to make a positive impact on the lives of students across the US. We are not a lobbyist or advocacy group and all signatures here will not be used beyond anything that is already written.
Petition Closed
The Issue
We all want to do something to create positive change in U.S. schools.
But how?
The "Moment of Silence" is a brief period of reflection or meditation at the beginning of each school day. Since the mid-1980s, the movement has gained adherents in the U.S. and beyond as many schools, public and private, have begun to start their days with a moment of silence and reflection.
"Moment of Silence" is currently mandated for public schools in 12 states and encouraged (but not required) in another 25. It is legal everywhere in the United States. The children who participate in this program reap the benefit of an injection of meaning at the start of the school day. (Much of the information in this summary is taken from this article.)
Schools throughout the world have adapted it with proven and positive results. More info here.
Our goal is to have the "Moment of Silence" implemented into all 50 states. The current system of education necessitates the need for something to be done to enhance the positivity and wellbeing of all mankind. This is an educational, inclusive moment for students of all ages to pause and reflect and allow their thoughts to uplift.
According to a Pew Research study, 84% of teenagers favored a "Moment of Silence" in their school. See here.
-
WHAT DOES A MOMENT OF SILENCE DO?
- One, it is a powerful experience. If you have ever participated in a memorial service in which everyone is silent for a minute or two, you probably know what it is like. Time seems to pass more slowly, as everyone is united in a communal ceremony of thoughtful silence.
- Two, it promotes self-control. It is not easy to be silent and still for a full minute or two, and the younger the child is, the more difficult it is. So when children practice silence for a minute or two every school day, they develop self-control. The ability to stay silent is probably enhanced by the fact that everyone else is doing it, too. Even kids with generally poor control are more likely to be still when they see everyone else around them doing it.
- Three, when the Moment of Silence is conducted at the beginning of the school day, it sets the mood for the rest of the day.
- Four, it is a form of meditation. The benefits of meditation have already been well established by scientific research.
- And the fifth factor is the one that has to do with the particular component Rabbi Schneerson added: instructing kids to discuss with their parents what they should think about. This may be the single most crucial factor for the success of the program.
(Taken from this article.)
-
IS IT LEGAL?
Because of its inherently non-sectarian and secular nature, a "Moment of Silence" has confidently weathered litigation and is currently permitted or mandated in 34 states. One judicial setback was Wallace v. Jaffree (1985), when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Alabama’s state law overstepped the boundaries of the permissible in the wording and intent of their statute.
According to the Pew Research Center, it was Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s “concurring opinion that has influenced subsequent lower court decisions,” since O’Connor wrote that “she would have upheld the Alabama law if the legislature had shown a genuine secular purpose in passing it. Indeed, she explained, school-led moments of silence, unlike school-led prayers, are often permissible because they are not inherently religious and do not coerce participation in a religious act.”
In fact, the State of Florida already has a “Moment of Silence” law on the books, statute 1003.45 stating, “The district school board may provide that a brief period, not to exceed 2 minutes, for the purpose of silent prayer or meditation be set aside at the start of each school day or each school week in the public schools in the district.”
(Taken from this article.)
-
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT DURING THIS "MOMENT"?
Yes, if, and only if, the moment of silence is genuinely neutral. A neutral moment of silence that does not encourage prayer over any other quiet, contemplative activity will not be struck down, even though some students may choose to use the time for prayer. (See Bown v. Gwinnett County School Dist., 11th Cir. 1997)
If a moment of silence is used to promote prayer, it will be struck down by the courts. In Wallace v. Jaffree (1985) the Supreme Court struck down an Alabama “moment of silence” law because it was enacted for the express purpose of promoting prayer in public schools. At the same time, however, the Court indicated that a moment of silence would be constitutional if it is genuinely neutral. Many states and local school districts currently have moment-of-silence policies in place.
(Taken from this article.)
-
HAS IT HAD ANY PROVEN POSITIVE EFFECTS?
A growing body of evidence from scholars attests to the concept’s positive impact on the student body, although none of it more powerful than testimony from principals of those schools where it has had a tangible impact. In the words of the administration of P.S. 191-The Paul Robeson Elementary School in Brooklyn, N.Y.
“When we introduced it several years ago overall student attendance was down, parent participation was low, and student achievement was climbing but not at the rate that everyone was hoping for,” read a 2013 report. “Our students required, and still require, a greater need to be listened to. Our students required new ways of dealing with emotions and crisis. Our students needed the time and an outlet that would provide an opportunity to understand the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of their experiences. They needed to become more contemplative . . .
“Since then it has become an ongoing, transformative experience. The Moment of Silence provided the students an opportunity to become more mindful and reflective of their experiences inside and outside the classroom. The students have become more introspective in their writing and have a greater appreciation, empathy, and understanding of their peers . . . Students have also gained a greater understanding of educational objectives.”
"The impact on the kids has been to the extent that some have been doing it on weekends," explained Rabbi Shuey Biston, director of outreach at Chabad of Parkland, who was counseling, praying and attending to the needs of grieving families almost without break after the shooting in the high school there that left 17 dead. "It sets the tone for the rest of the day."
In the words of one rabbi advocating for the concept in a meeting with Gov. Rick Scott of Florida after the Parkland high school shootings, “A voluntary ‘Moment of Silence’ means taking 60 seconds, and saying ‘today, think about what you can do to be a better student. Today, think about what you can do to be a better human being."
(Taken from this article.)
(More evidence posted here.)
-
WHO ARE WE?
We are just a couple of ordinary citizens trying to bring good into the world and "do something" after the tragic events this month at Uvalde. If you're here and signing this petition, you're just like us—you believe in the potential good of a "Moment of Silence" and hope to make a positive impact on the lives of students across the US. We are not a lobbyist or advocacy group and all signatures here will not be used beyond anything that is already written.
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Petition created on May 24, 2022