5026 Observaton of Minute of Silence

The Oklahoma Legislature has directed that the board of education of each school district shall ensure that the public schools within the district shall observe approximately one minute of silence each day. This policy is adopted to comply with that directive.

The principal of each school building within the school district is hereby directed to designate approximately one minute of each day for the observation of a minute of silence. At the beginning of each semester, the principal or his or her designee will give teachers direction as to how the minute of silence is to be observed. The minute of silence shall be for the purpose of allowing each student and teacher, in the exercise of his or her individual choice, to reflect, meditate, pray, or engage in any other silent activity that does not interfere with, distract, or impede other students and teachers in the exercise of their individual choices. Teachers shall neither encourage students to use nor discourage students from using the minute of silence for any particular purpose, such as reflection, meditation, prayer, or other silent activity. All teachers shall be made aware that it is the student’s decision as to how to utilize the minute of silence, provided that the student’s choice does not interfere with, distract, or impede other students in the exercise of their individual choices.

The daily minute of silence will begin with an announcement over the public address system that there will be a pause for a minute of silence in which students and teachers may reflect, meditate, pray, or engage in any other silent activity that does not interfere with, distract, or impede other students in the exercise of their individual choices.

Reports of violations must be submitted by the complaining party to the principal of the school building where the violation occurred. The district will investigate all reports that a student or teacher has not been permitted to observe approximately one minute of silence each school day pursuant to this policy.

Reference:    70 OKLA. STAT. §11-101.2
                       O.A.C. 210: 35-3-252

Adopted: 10-14-24