INSTRUCTIONS

Implementing the Moment of Silence in your school is easy. To be successful, it needs to be implemented daily and consistently.

The following are general instructions for our program:

Step 1 - and the most essential:

An announcement is made over the loudspeaker daily that the school will be having a full minute of silence.

Step 2

Send a note home (letter to parents) to inform the parents that you are beginning this program. The parent should discuss with their child what's important to them and what values they would like their child to think about during that moment.
Here are some suggestions of what to think of during the Moment of Silence:

There’s something inside of me that’s bigger than me
How I will respond to my classmate that teases me
How I will be grateful for what I have in my life
How I appreciate my family
How I am proud to be an honest person
What I am looking forward to, today
How I can better relax in class
How I can better focus in class
How I can respond better to my teacher
How I can show more respect towards my parents/grandparents
Give charity- either with time, or with money
How I can play more fairly with friends
How I don’t have to be a “sore loser”.
Ways to respond to being disappointed, without getting angry
Ways that I can help my classmates

How I will think of the good points of my classmate
Ways to help my Mother at home- i.e., help with younger siblings
Ways to avoid fights with siblings
I can do great things
How to react when I am being bullied
Ways I can help my parents
You’re getting better every day
Which people are those who I should look up to
How I can look into the good of everything
How can I contribute to my world around me
What are my favorite toys
I have the ability to follow my dreams
How can I be happy today
Things I like about my best friend
Why I like silence

(The parents can sign the note and then the child can be entered into a raffle. We can provide the prizes for the raffle.)

Step 3

The children are encouraged to write a letter describing what moment of silence means for them, (they can insert their letters into a box). The best letters are chosen and an assembly is held to reward them with a certificate and prize. We provide the certificates and prizes.
The above has been written in short form. Please contact us so that we can guide you with any other questions, comments etc. Thank you very much and with your help we will succeed in changing the world for the better one child at a time!

Some schools have enjoyed this mascot of "Captain Silence" to motivate the students.

Moment of Silence

Moment of Silence is a non-profit dedicated to improving the social fabric of society through implementing the Moment of Silence Program in public schools.

The Uniqueness of MOS

Moment of Silence is different than other moment of silence or meditation platforms as the Moment of Silence Program is focused on a value that each student discusses with their parent.

The Need: Societal Moral Erosion

An estimated 250,000 youth are tried, sentenced, or incarcerated as an adult each year.
Source: The State of America’s Children 2014 (childrensdefense.org)

The Hope

This will be a truly enriching start to the day and the child will then be blessed with good sense to utilize what he learns throughout the day in the best possible way, not just for himself, but for others, as well. And in the opposite order: he will learn to first think of what is good for others and only then, what is good for himself.

Public School Responsibility

Education is larger than simply expanding minds with factual knowledge. Education is raising a child to be a moral and ethical individual. The purpose of education is to cultivate an individual’s ability to think critically while following a moral compass.
If education was only about transmitting facts to be filed in students’ brains, there would be little beauty in being a teacher and children would not develop a space for critical thought nor creativity.
Education does not end at graduation as life requires the constant exercise of self-reflection. However, people need to learn this quality of self reflection and it needs to be taught, in part, in the classroom.

Parental Dialogue

In the hustle and bustle of life, many parents work long hours and therefore rely on schools to teach their children about values.
Moment of Silence encourages parents to talk about what makes life meaningful (goals, spirituality, or religion) with their children and to give their children ideas to think about during the Moment of Silence Program in school.
This creates a space where parents and children are comfortable talking about vulnerable topics. Starting the conversation now will allow for open dialogue later on.

Step 1 -Parents

A letter is sent home to parents letting them know about the Moment of Silence program that will be implemented at school.
The letter encourages parents to have an open discussion with their child(ren) about what they should contemplate during this brief Moment of Silence.
All it needs is a few moments of parents talking with their child(ren) about the things in life that are important to them.

Step 2 -Teachers

It must be implemented at the start of the day before studies begin. It should not be treated as secondary – in the middle or at the end of the day.
The only comment which the principal or teacher need tell the students is that the school is beginning the day with a Moment of Silence.
Moment of Silence is not to waste time but to allow students to make full use of their time and abilities. It must be explained that this silence is also a part of education, to be spent in constructive thought.
"Shortly, we will begin our studies in arithmetic, geography and all the important subjects, which will enable you to succeed in the world and make a living. But first, we give you a minute to be silent, during which you should contemplate whatever you are directed by your father and mother -or your grandfather or grandmother. They will direct you what to think about."

Step 3 -Students

The Impact: A Note from a Principal

MOS helps boost academic achievement and personal development of many of our children.
Each child can participate in quiet reflection, meditation or personal introspection. This enhances his or her self-image and has a powerful, positive effect on the child’s schoolwork and life outside the classroom.
In schools like ours, where children have participated in the Moment of Silence Program for just 6 months, we see greatly improved reading scores and better overall attention during the day. Besides the academic benefits, these quiet moments allow children to reflect on our laws of justice and morality and what they need to become compassionate human beings and responsible citizens.

FAQs

1What Is the Cost?

Moment of Silence is a free program.
All we request in return is to have a record of the schools that are using the program so that we can contact you periodically to monitor its effects and send you any information we believe may be of help to you.

2Is It Legal?

Yes, a moment of silence in schools has been deemed constitutional.
Several states mandated moments of silence each day.

Our Leadership

Moment of Silence was founded by Rabbi Avraham Frank, a former teacher in the public school system, who was inspired by Rabbi M. M. Schneerson. Members of the board include Mr. Izzy Kalman, a nationally acclaimed bullying prevention specialist, and Dr. Robert Feldman, a doctor and educator.

Our History

Moment of Silence is inspired by Rabbi Schneerson’s call to action to respond to the state of American youth.
Education and Sharing Day is a day made by congress to honor Rabbi Schneerson’s efforts for education and sharing. The day was inaugurated April 18, 1978.
President Reagan wrote to Rabbi Schneerson on April 15, 1981: “With your emphasis on moral and ethical values and your interest in education, you have contributed greatly to both the intellectual and spiritual development of our nation.”

Looking Forward

Moment of Silence is continuously seeking to inspire. Currently, we are developing a superhero, Captain Silence, to demonstrate to children how to utilize Moment of Silence and to help them understand the benefits.
Our volunteers are doing outreach in their neighborhoods. Join the team! Contact Avraham Frank at: [email protected] to learn how you can help by contacting local schools and local elects.