Category Archives: Moms (and Dads) on a Mission

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Even more from Berea, Kentucky

In November, I wrote about how Jodie Leidecker, a mother of two from Berea, Kentucky, who has been involved in the movement to save recess, had started to organize other parents to see about getting a low or no homework policy in her district. (You can read the previous entries here and here.)The principal wroteContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Even more from Berea, Kentucky”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–More from Danville, California

Kerry Dickinson, a mother from Danville, California, who last year got her school district to reevaluate its homework policy and institute a new one, recently held a screening of a film-in-progress, Slipping Behind, a documentary about the “intersection of youth, stress, education, opportunity and the global economy.” In a follow-up email to attendees, and othersContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–More from Danville, California”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–More from Niagara Falls, Canada

A few weeks ago, I wrote about Dale O’Dair, a dad from Niagara Falls who talked to the school about his first-grade daughter’s homework load (several hours a week). The very next day, the school wrote a note to all of the parents stating that homework booklets would be abolished. We have now spoken withContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–More from Niagara Falls, Canada”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Success in San Anselmo, California

Today’s guest blogger, Torri Chappell, from San Anselmo, California, is the mother of a college freshman and a high school sophomore. She is also a teacher. After a decade of advocating for schools to reexamine educational practices that undermine learning and discourage learners (excessive homework, meaningless homework, standardized tests, timed reading/math quizzes), she has finallyContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Success in San Anselmo, California”

Another Plumsted, New Jersey, Mom Weighs In

Over the past year, I have posted entries by Diane Hewlett-Lowrie here , here, here and here. Now, another parent in her Plumsted, New Jersey, community has written a letter to the same second-grade teacher: I am writing to express my concerns with the homework situation. There are very few nights when things go greatContinue reading “Another Plumsted, New Jersey, Mom Weighs In”

First Monday–Take Action against Holiday Homework

Today is the first Monday in December. As I do every month, I recommend that every parent send a note to her/his children’s teachers, administrators, or School Board members today, the first Monday of the month. Over the Thanksgiving break, I heard from several parents and students complaining about the amount of work that hadContinue reading “First Monday–Take Action against Holiday Homework”

From my Mailbox: California Mom Dislikes Holiday Homework

This week, I heard from the California mother of a fourth grader whose daughter just received a science project where most of the work would have to be done over the Thanksgiving break. The project requires the students to collect rocks, write about them, and do a display presentation. Because the mother considered the displayContinue reading “From my Mailbox: California Mom Dislikes Holiday Homework”

More from FedUp Mom: Conversations I Never Want to Have Again

This is the fifth post by FedUp Mom. You can read her other entries here, here, here and here. Conversations I Never Want to Have Again by FedUp Mom I went to a parents’ party at the Quaker school my kids are now attending and found myself increasingly frustrated. We are living in such aContinue reading “More from FedUp Mom: Conversations I Never Want to Have Again”

What to Do with Those Pesky “Contracts” from the Teacher

Last night, my daughter brought home a “contract” titled “Classroom Rules” from her 9th grade French teacher. The contract was to be signed by both the student and the parent/guardian. According to the Rules, “If [a student] chooses to break a rule [s/he] earns a zero for the day.” As readers of this blog know,Continue reading “What to Do with Those Pesky “Contracts” from the Teacher”