Dear Emery/Weiner Parents,

 

At the beginning of each school year, students face a perennial challenge: creating a healthy balance between homework, extra-curricular activities, family obligations and a social life. This balancing act certainly characterizes the situation our students at Emery/Weiner face. As a school, we emphasize the importance of academic achievement, we encourage involvement in school-related clubs and activities, we promote, in fact require, participation in community service, and yes, we assign homework that must figure into the equation of a student's busy schedule.

 

There is no question about the value of purposeful and meaningful homework. Homework is a tool that helps reinforce knowledge acquired and skills developed during the regular school day. Few students and few parents question that. However, what some have fairly questioned is the volume of homework that our students are currently experiencing in both the Middle and Upper Schools. "She struggles to fit it all in every night, and she might have to give up sports in the spring if it doesn't change," commented one parent. Another parent said, "He insists on taking advanced courses, and we support that. The workload, however, is making him rethink his choices. That concerns us for the long term."

 

Please be assured that we want for your children exactly what you want for them -- to be academically successful and live happy and well-balanced lives. To that end, we have made adjustments in our weekly schedule including a later start time and regular access to teachers to provide tutoring before the school day. We have created stronger advisory programs designed to increase the emotional, social and academic support we provide students. We have increased opportunities for students to be involved in extra-curricular activities that generate self-confidence and school pride. And yes, now we are tackling the issue of homework.

 

Last week our Middle School Head, Jennifer White, challenged the Middle School teachers to access assignments on Edline, put themselves in a student's shoes, and anticipate the homework load a middle school student is required to complete on any given night. In addition, the Upper School Department Chairs also met to discuss the issue, and on Tuesday will address homework overload with their respective departments. The goal of these conversations is to raise increased awareness among all teachers, and to create departmental plans focused on assigning purposeful homework that can be reasonably managed by our students. Admittedly, we want to challenge and push our kids -- but not to the point of breaking. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely,