Today’s guest blogger is “FedUpMom”, the mother of a 10-year-old who attends a public school in the suburbs of Philadelphia. My Life as a Homework Protester by FedUpMom My life as a homework protester began last year, when my daughter was in 4th grade. The straw that broke the camel’s back was an assignment whichContinue reading “Guest Blogger: My Life as a Homework Protester”
Category Archives: Moms (and Dads) on a Mission
Step 3 in San Marino, California: Presentation to the School Board
In San Marino, California, Tracy Mason has been organizing parents to try to change homework policy in her District. You can read about what she’s been doing here and here. When she got the opportunity to talk to the School Board, this is what she said: Hello. Thank you for allowing me to address theContinue reading “Step 3 in San Marino, California: Presentation to the School Board”
Guest Blogger: Update from Danville, California
Today’s guest blogger, Kerry Dickinson, gives an update on her organizing efforts in Danville, California. Kerry is the mother of two middle school age boys, a former middle and high school teacher, a current part-time substitute teacher, and a stay at home mother. She, and Julie Kurtz, the mother of two teens, a Mental HealthContinue reading “Guest Blogger: Update from Danville, California”
From My Mailbox: Portland School Cannot Take Away Recess for Failure to do Homework
I recently heard from the father of a 7th-grader in Portland, Oregon, who told me that he and his wife allow their son “to set his own priorities and to decide for himself whether he wants to do his homework. A couple of the teachers in the school took offense by this approach and exercisedContinue reading “From My Mailbox: Portland School Cannot Take Away Recess for Failure to do Homework”
Letter to the Editor: “I’m a Weary Veteran of Homework Wars”
Last week, after two researchers from the University of Toronto released a study on parental attitudes towards homework and recommended that homework be abolished in elementary school, there were numerous letters to the editors of Canadian newspapers. Here’s one of my favorites, written by Toronto mother of three, Claire Watson, and published in thestar.com: AfterContinue reading “Letter to the Editor: “I’m a Weary Veteran of Homework Wars””
Guest Blogger: A Father’s Epiphany and Homework Reform
Today’s guest blogger, Frank Bruni, the father of a 12-year-old seventh grader, lives in Toronto, Canada. Frank, who has been quoted extensively in the Canadian press, has been a driving force in pushing the Toronto District School Board to review and revamp its homework policy. A Father’s Epiphany and Homework Reform by Frank Bruni LastContinue reading “Guest Blogger: A Father’s Epiphany and Homework Reform”
Op-Ed in Contra Costa Times, California
Today’s post is an op-ed published in the Contra Costa Times on November 15. It’s written by Kerry Dickinson, who was Monday’s’s guest blogger. Homework is Culprit by Kerry Dickinson I was both thrilled and perplexed with the front page article “Healthy development tied to nature” on Nov. 8. I’m thrilled because our family lovesContinue reading “Op-Ed in Contra Costa Times, California”
Parents Organize in Danville, California
Today’s guest blogger is Kerry Dickinson, the mother of two middle school age boys, a former middle and high school teacher, a current part-time substitute teacher, and a stay at home mother. She, and Julie Kurtz, the mother of two teens, a Mental Health Director, and a licensed marriage and family therapist in the SanContinue reading “Parents Organize in Danville, California”
Summary of Meeting between Davis, California Parents and Representatives of the Superintendent
Last week, five parents in Davis, California, met with the Director of Curriculum and the Associate Superintendent to discuss homework policy. Here’s the report back to the Superintendent: Today we met with five parents, representatives of the 40 parents who signed the letter to you. The parents expressed numerous concerns with the district’s homework policyContinue reading “Summary of Meeting between Davis, California Parents and Representatives of the Superintendent”
Davis, California, Parents Meet With Representatives of the new School Superintendent
In my last blog entry, I wrote about how parents in Davis, California, welcomed their new school Superintendent with a letter asking him to meet to discuss homework policy. Last week, 5 parent representatives met with the Director of Curriculum and the Associate Superintendent. Here’s what one of the parents told them: My name isContinue reading “Davis, California, Parents Meet With Representatives of the new School Superintendent”
Stop Homework 