Should mandatory (or voluntary) prayer be permitted in public schools?

Prayers should not be mandatory in public schools because the separation of church and state which is one of the foundations of our democracy.  As for voluntary prayer, this should not be restricted because it is voluntary.   As long as the teacher, principal and school do not lead the prayer or enforce praying then it should be allowed.   A moment of silence would allow those who want to pray and others who choose not to pray to do so.  Our children really need to time to clear their minds and be prepared to learn.