Illinois schools revive 'moment of silence'

Students take part for the first time since law was suspended


Just before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, students at Lakes Community High School rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, then, before falling back into their seats, paused for eight seconds of silence.

Senior Prince Miles mused about the day's assignments.

Sara Quinn, a freshman, thought about the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001.

And senior Tomas Brandt didn't have a chance to reflect on much at all.

"It's so quick, I sort of missed it," he said.

The scene in Lake Villa was replayed in dozens of classrooms Tuesday as students paused for a quiet moment for the first time since a law that mandates a period of "silent prayer or silent reflection" in Illinois public schools was suspended more than two years ago.

Contending that the 2007 law overstepped the bounds of church and state separation, a suburban teenager and her atheist-activist father sued the state two weeks after the law took effect. The law was ruled unconstitutional but later was upheld. A federal district judge lifted the injunction banning the practice last week.

The on-and-off history of the law confounded many school officials, who wondered how to heed state law without running afoul of the First Amendment.

Several districts plan to follow the example cited by the federal appeals court in its ruling last October. The judges highlighted Arlington Heights-based Township High School District 214's practice of pausing for 15 seconds of silence before reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The northwest suburban district — where the teenage plaintiff, Dawn Sherman, attends classes — intends to reinstate the observance Monday after students finish their finals.

But from Elgin to Lemont, dozens of schools revived the practice Tuesday.

In Lincolnshire, Stevenson High School's moment of silence began during the video announcements that start each morning with the Pledge of Allegiance, a spokesman said. The screen read: "Good morning. And now, a moment of reflection." It faded to black for 10 seconds and returned to the school's news of the day.

Students in Round Lake Beach's Avon Center School began the day with 15 seconds of "silent reflection."

Third-grade teacher Lisa Henricksen related the law to lessons about government and history, drawing on themes that resonated with the young students.

"Do you know what they're asking us to do? To kind of reflect on our day," Henricksen said. "What kind of choices are we going to make? What kind of people do we want to be? What can we do to have a good day?"

The flurry of discussion and debate mystified many students.

"I think it's a good idea in theory, but if it starts this much controversy, it's just not worth it," said Lakes High School senior Rachel Ferguson during an advanced government class discussion devoted to the topic. "At this point, it's just a distraction."

Tribune reporters Megan Craig and Carolyn Rusin contributed to this report.

tmalone@tribune.com
Copyright © 2011, Chicago Tribune

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