Parents, do you agree with what my principal told the students?Added info bottom pg2

[Suzy Mouse]

It's "Act of Kindness" week at my school where students should go above and beyond to be kind to each other. The principal was discussing this over the intercom during his morning announcements. He proceded to tell the students that his act of kindness to the students was that they were not going to be receiving homework tonight from the teachers. He has asked the teachers not to give any homework to the children.

Does this mean that on other days I'm mean?? ...that I'm being a mean teacher when I give out homework? Children need some sort of review of what they learned during the course of the day so that they retain the information for the next day.

I was just curious to know how the parents feel about this. Some would probably be happy because it's less work for them. Then there are the other that will be angered because they want their children to have the work to do when they get home rather than running for the tv or video games!!!

What do you think?

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I don't think it's any reflection on you or any of the other teachers, Suzy.

Then there are the other that will be angered because they want their children to have the work to do when they get home rather than running for the tv or video games!!!

This made me LOL. I personally don't know ANY parents that LIKE homework. It's just a necessary evil! Though I'm no longer involved in my kid's homework, I can tell you I would have welcomed the night off!

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I totally agree with you. I would think it would confuse the students. So, I guess now when you give homework they are going to think you are being mean instead of nice to them. My son has homework every night, whether the teacher assigns it or not. It helps my son learn more and also quicker when my husband or I sit down with him at night and help him do some writing or math. In return, my son that is a little slower than the rest of the kids in his class, is one of the best ones at math.

 

[CEDmom]

Although my DD is only in preschool now I wouldn't be bothered by this if it happens down the road. It's a once a year occurance. I'm not sure what else the principal could have done that wouldn't have cost anything. I think he was just trying to get the ball rolling on this event. I don't think a teacher is mean to give homework; it's a necessary part of the learning process. However, I think kids would look on not having any for one night as an act of kindness. Also as a parent I would also enjoy a night off from helping/reminding about homework. Maybe some families might even spend the extra time together doing something fun.

 

[DawnCt]

The opposite of "extra kindness" doesn't have to be "mean", it can be business as usual. Children are concrete and no homework can be a "kindness" that can be universally distributed through out the school so that everyone gets the same act of kindness. I think it's fine.

 

[Serena]

I sure wouldn't mind a night off from my child having to do homework. She has lots of homework every night and not very much time for fun at all.
Besides, I can't think of anything else the principal could have done for each and every student.
And, you don't have all those papers to grade.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, I do agree with the principal. I do think that a break from homework is an act of kindness. And, I do not necessarily make the assumption that normal homework is mean. Now, EXTRA homework would be mean. But, I am not making the leap here that you are... Not at all. No confusion whatsoever on my part.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Everyone needs a breaks now and then! As a parent and former teacher I would welcome a night without homework. My children can't watch tv or play videos on school nights so they would have to find something creative to do for the afternoon.

I think the principal was trying to show the children how to be kind and this was the one gift that he could give them. He sounds like a caring person.

Lori

 

[Suzy Mouse]

I guess what I find funny is that we (the teachers) were made aware of this situation at the same time the students were. Many of us were shocked. He is not aware of what's going on in our classrooms. What if we had a test scheduled on Thursday?

I think it would have been "kinder" to the teachers if he had discuss this with us prior to our lessons being made for the week.

 

[AZKathy]

I would not have taken it bad. He was giving something special to the kids that evening of no homework. That was a kind gesture on his part. I, also, would have enjoyed having an evening "off" with the homework thing, myself! Sometimes, kids get way too much homework anyway. I would not worry about this and think that the kids would think the opposite of the rest of the days of getting homework is mean. I bet you that kids think getting homework is mean on their teachers' part anyway and they don'trealize that homework is important in the education process of our children before the principal bestowed this gift of kindness to them.

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by Suzy Mouse
I guess what I find funny is that we (the teachers) were made aware of this situation at the same time the students were. Many of us were shocked. He is not aware of what's going on in our classrooms. What if we had a test scheduled on Thursday?

I.

Then your ultimate kindness could have been postponing the test until Friday!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Off topic~~~ I sent you a PM!

On topic~~~~

first I think that having a kindness week is a great idea. There are so many things that the kids could learn. I think that the teachers should have been made aware of this in advance. The other part would be that I would have maybe said that it is a no homework night, but encouraged the kids to try and do an extra kindness that night.

 

[CookieGVB]

Sounds like the principal should have talked to the teachers first before he proclaimed it "homework free" night...but I don't think it was a bad thing.

If you went ahead and gave them homework anyway, now THAT would be mean.

 

[Dreamer04]

IMHO, the principal acted without too much forethought. I can appreciate that both children and parents would like a night off from homework, but in my mind, this does not constitute a random act of kindness.

How about encouraging the children to be friendly to the "unpopular" ones in their class? Teach them to open their eyes and look around them. To see their peers with clarity. To recognize need in others.

I have a DS 14 and DD 6. My son is in an "advanced" high school. He is assigned at least 2 hours of homework each night. My daughter is in first grade and recieves about an hour of homeowork. This does not include review/study for tests.

I say-keep the homework-encourage kindness-not to strangers-bu to each other.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I think the principal definitely should have discussed this with the teachers. Maybe a homework free day could have been agreed upon, but to spring it on the teachers, I think, is unfair.

As for the students' perception of the event.... you will find out in the next few weeks. If they are begging you to be "kind" and assign them no homework and/or calling you "mean" if you DO assign something.....

Actually, IMO, homework is part of every day school. The principal would not grant a day off of school as a random act of kindness. How about an extra recess? Or maybe a fun assembly?

 

[Dreamer04]

Originally posted by CJMickeyMouse
Actually, IMO, homework is part of every day school. The principal would not grant a day off of school as a random act of kindness. How about an extra recess? Or maybe a fun assembly?

CJ I like those ideas

 

[Serena]

It would have been polite to let the teachers know ahead of time, rather than to spring it on them.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally posted by Suzy Mouse
I guess what I find funny is that we (the teachers) were made aware of this situation at the same time the students were. Many of us were shocked. He is not aware of what's going on in our classrooms. What if we had a test scheduled on Thursday?

I think it would have been "kinder" to the teachers if he had discuss this with us prior to our lessons being made for the week.

I agree with that. That was insensitive on the principals part.

 

[mus muris asinus]

Originally posted by CookieGVB
Sounds like the principal should have talked to the teachers first before he proclaimed it "homework free" night...but I don't think it was a bad thing.

If you went ahead and gave them homework anyway, now THAT would be mean.

I agree with Cookie

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by DISshopkeeper
I don't think it's any reflection on you or any of the other teachers, Suzy.



This made me LOL. I personally don't know ANY parents that LIKE homework. It's just a necessary evil! Though I'm no longer involved in my kid's homework, I can tell you I would have welcomed the night off!

I have to agree with you. I believe most parents would not be angry if the kid didn't come home with homework! Why would they? I would think the parent must be pretty anal to be upset if their kid got a break from it. I would be THANKFUL if my kids were to have a homework free day! I just might have to call the schools and insist that there be a non homework day so that my kids can do other things like go outside and play a game of basketball, play video games, or just veg out for once. What a great idea! That principal would a big thank you from me and many other parents for showing such a kind gesture.