Dear Maria Rice, Barbara Clinton, and Richard Wiesenthal,
Please put a moratorium on homework over school breaks and holidays.There is mounting evidence that homework can have deleterious effects on students -- physically and psychologically. For those students who try to do all that is required of them, homework is a constant stressor. Research (and common sense) shows that workers are more productive when they are given some time to relax and not feel the constant pressure of work. Our kids are no different. They need downtime, time for family, friends, imagining, playing. Let's give our kids a break. To this end, we the undersigned -- parents in the New Paltz Central School District -- are requesting a very reasonable homework policy be implemented immediately. Some of us like homework for our kids, some of us don't. But we all agree that homework assignments at the Middle School and High School (including AP classes) must not be given over breaks and holidays. We hope to see this change for the next holiday break!