Mill Middle Schools' field trip to Universal School and Islamic Community Center on Heim Road is heating up, not just locally, but nationally. A local anonymous caller, identified only at "Patrick", phoned in to the Rush Limbaugh Radio show this afternoon, seeking guidance from the "prophet of politics" regarding the issue.

Originally scheduled to take three field trips this school year, Staff at the Mill Middle School, part of the Williamsville School District, decided that, due to the October storm, there was only time for one trip this school year. Planned trips to a local church and Jewish center were canceled, while plans to visit the Islamic Center remained intact.

Parents of the Williamsville School District, and the Mill Middle School, became concerned after being notified that the girls would be expected to wear head-scarves upon entering the facility. One parent in particular took issue with the requirement, calling it an "indoctrination", and refused to allow his 12-year-old son to participate. Several other parents followed suit.

WBEN's Tom Bauerle, gave the issue airtime, and Saturday afternoon talk show host Kathy Weppner, who attended the field trip, spoke with Bauerle at length. "While everyone was very nice, and friendly, the power point presentation was more of an indoctrination." However, despite the letter sent home to parents, the girls were not required to wear head-scarves. WBEN call-in lines lit up, as parents and concerned citizens voiced their objection to the requirement for head-scarves, as a "make-nice" move that crossed the line.

The issue has sparked serious debate within the community, with most parents agreeing the decision to visit the Islamic Center was poorly thought out, and while such visits may be politically correct, it's left many parents wondering why this particular field trip was the only one of three not cancelled.