Schools

D99's "Period of Silence" Officially Comes to an End

School board removes last vestige of state's short-lived "moment of silence" mandate.

Community High School District 99 deleted its Period of Silence policy Sept. 20, wiping the books of the state's short-lived "moment of silence" mandate, which was found unconstitutional by an Illinois District Court in January 2009.

The 2007 law required teachers and students to observe a moment of silence at the start of each school day, which the district observed during class periods designated for reciting the Pledge of Allegiance until it was directed to stop during the 2008-09 school year, said Supt. Mark McDonald.

The law, which mandated the period of silence that had been allowed since 1969 under The Silent Reflection Act, came under almost immediate fire from groups questioning its constitutionality.

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Downers Grove Grade School District 58 also observed the moment of silence for the brief period it was in effect; however the board never had a policy on it, said  Jennifer Waldorf, the district's community relations director.

 

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