Category Archives: General

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”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Success in Niagara Falls, Canada

A few weeks ago, I received an email from Dale O’Dair, the father of a first-grader in Niagara Falls, Canada. Dale, who holds a post-graduate degree and whose mother is a retired teacher, was fed up on the Wednesday he wrote me, because he had already spent 3 to 4 hours that week helping hisContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Success in Niagara Falls, Canada”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission-Two Months into Toronto’s New Homework Policy

Today’s guest blogger, Frank Bruni, the moving force behind Toronto, Canada’s new, family-friendly homework policy, write about how the new homework policy is working. You can read Frank’s earlier entries here and here and here . The Price of Homework Reform is Eternal Vigilance by Frank Bruni The news from Toronto is good. Homework reformContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission-Two Months into Toronto’s New Homework Policy”

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

If you caught yesterday’s blog post, then you can skip down a paragraph to find out how the Middle and High School responded to Jodie Leidecker’s email about reducing or eliminating homework. Jodie Leidecker, a mother of two from Berea, Kentucky, who has been involved in the movement to save recess, wrote to tell meContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–More from Berea, Kentucky”