COEUR d'ALENE — The bell rings at 9 every morning at Winton Elementary School. After students listen to announcements and stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, the teacher sets a timer for one minute. Students sit and observe the new moment of silence required by Idaho law.

“I think it's good we can have a minute of silence before the day starts,” said Sierra Day, a fourth grade student at Winton Elementary. “I like to pray, and then think about how my day will be.”

House Bill 623 took effect in July, requiring all students to participate in at least 60 seconds of silent activities of their choosing, such as prayer, meditation or reflection. Public school personnel are prohibited from instructing students how to spend the time.

“The moment of silence is a time for students to pray, reflect, meditate or simply prepare for the day quietly,” said Lesli Bjerke, chair of the Coeur d’Alene School Board. “How they choose to use that time is personal, and we will respect the beliefs and choices of every student and family.”

Before the school year began, principals sent information about the new law to parents and guardians.

Winton Elementary Principal Kathleen Corbeill’s email included examples of silent activities students may choose, such as reading, reflecting or writing. It encouraged parents and guardians to speak with their children about how to spend the time.

“I felt kind of confused at first, I didn’t really know what to do,” said Mason Chambers, a fifth grade student at West Ridge Elementary in Post Falls. “After the teacher kind of explained it, I felt good and calm.”

Chambers said he enjoys reading a book during the moment of silence or reflecting on the day.

“I think they were unsure what it was going to look like and how long that minute would feel,” said Sherry Mayl, a fifth grade teacher at West Ridge Elementary, “but we followed the guidelines the state had given us, and it had a natural flow.”

Avalyn Mahaffy, a fifth grade student at West Ridge Elementary, said she likes to pray during the moment of silence, but she has seen classmates doing other things

“Sometimes they do their entry tasks, they do their work. Sometimes kids just sit there and close their eyes,” said Mahaffy.

Kim Youngman, a fourth grade teacher at Winton Elementary, said the new moment of silence helps her and her class reset and focus for the rest of the day.

“Doesn’t matter what happened, doesn’t matter how crazy the morning was, we just reset with that one minute and then we’re ready for the day,” said Youngman.

She said her class decided to dim the lights during the moment of silence. She uses the time herself to pray or take deep breaths.

“I live in Post Falls so traffic is usually stressful getting here,” said Youngman. “I just take that moment, I ignore everything.”

The moment of silence law did not pass without criticism. Rep. Ben G. Fuhriman, R-District 30, was one of 17 representatives who voted against it.

“I felt we are continually burdening our schools with rules and regulations,” Fuhriman said. “It’s not the proper role of the government to tell teachers what to do in their classrooms.”

Fuhriman said other legislators are concerned the rule is “a foot in the door to get prayer in the schools,” but that is not his main concern. With four children of his own in school, he said the moment of silence does not make a positive difference for them.

“They’re gonna spend five minutes trying to get kids to be quiet for one minute of quiet,” he said. “It’s not really doing anything at all.”

Youngman and Mayl both said their students have been receptive to the new rule and do not complain about it. They said they have not had any issues enforcing it.

“I think they understand that state law is important,” said Youngman. "They seem to accept it.”

Ivy Nevue, a fourth grade student at Winton Elementary School, observes the daily moment of silence with her class Thursday morning.

Fourth grade students at Winton Elementary School observe the moment of silence with their class on Thursday morning.