Actually this is perfectly compatable with the First Ammendment. The government can make no rules, either for or against this practice. It is also reasonable to insist that athiest people be taught a measure or tolerance as dictated by the First Ammendement.
It is really very simple. Leave people alone to do what they will in the practice or not practicing religeon. (Athiest can always stroke their cell phone or billfold during that moment of silence.)
Our First Amendment does not "dictate" tolerance, or appoint government as teachers of tolerance. Where on earth did you pick up such an idea? In you government K-12 school?
You are advocating government mind control. Sorry! Bu, I have a problem with that. We do have a human right to freedom of conscience. Our First Amendment exists to protect our freedom of conscience.
By the way, are you a teacher in a government school?
It is really very simple. Leave people alone to do what they will in the practice or not practicing religeon. (Athiest can always stroke their cell phone or billfold during that moment of silence.) ( GingisK)
The solution: Begin the process of privatizing universal K-12 education. What is needed is complete separation of school and state.
There is no way that a government school can resolve this. The students who are religious have a First Amendment Right to express their religious belief ( both verbally and silently). And BOTH the religious and non-religious have a First Amendment Right NOT to be forced by government to associate with each other.
Government schools always were, are now, and always will be incompatible with First Amendment human rights. They are a freedom of conscience nightmare!