Some parents in East Islip are speaking out against the school district?s decision not to observe a moment of silence on Sept. 11 in the elementary school.

Peter Carino, a Sept. 11 first responder and father of two, says the schools have always observed the anniversary and that no one told parents about the change.

Superintendent Wendell Chu says he didn?t feel elementary students were ready to learn about terrorism and that he didn?t mean to offend anyone. He says he?ll meet with school staff to discuss age-appropriate activities for the future.

Carino, meanwhile, says he?s collected 1,100 signatures on an online petition demanding a moment of silence in every elementary school.