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Bill would allow teachers to offer voluntary September 11 moment of silence in classrooms
Summary
Representative Reid and Senator Raphtakis asked the committee to let teachers optionally observe a moment of silence in classrooms on or near Sept. 11 to mark the anniversary of the 2001 attacks; sponsors said the bill is voluntary and could be observed by a teacher or administrator.
Representative Reid told the committee his bill would provide educators a voluntary opportunity to offer a moment of silence in classrooms on Sept. 11 to honor lives lost and recognize first responders. "This bill has been changed from a mandatory 'shall' to a voluntary 'may' in regards to the offering of a moment of silence," Reid said.
Senator Raphtakis and Representative Webb Dacus emphasized the bill’s brevity and its voluntary nature, noting that if Sept. 11 falls on a weekend teachers could offer the moment on a nearby school day. Raphtakis described local connections to the attacks and said Rhode Island commemorates the day in other official ways, including a bell‑ringing at State Police headquarters; he argued codifying the optional classroom observance would reinforce civic lessons.
Committee members asked how the provision would be applied in elementary grades and who would have discretion. Reid and the sponsors said the choice would rest with the classroom teacher or, in cases where schedules are set by a school, the administrator; members suggested possible clarifying language so teachers would retain discretion and the statute would not be coercive.
Committee members reported largely supportive correspondence and one written objection on the committee website. The committee did not vote on the bill during the hearing; the measure was later noted among bills held for further study.
