As a student at Mercer Island High School, I find myself frustrated by the current practice of sending bi-weekly grade updates and change emails. This system not only adds pressure on us as students but also on our teachers. 

Every two weeks, my parents receive emails notifying them of my latest grades, regardless of whether there have been significant changes or not. This relentless cycle of updates creates an unnecessary environment of stress and anxiety. As students, we often have grades in high-stakes categories, making every notification feel like an alarm rather than an informative update. This often deflects our focus from learning and growing academically.

Moreover, the burden on the teachers is something we cannot ignore. They are constantly under pressure to update grades on Skyward, often at the expense of dedicating time to teaching and interacting with students. This practice adds unnecessary stress, impacting their ability to provide a nurturing and effective educational environment.

By halting these bi-weekly grade updates and change notifications, we can create a healthier academic atmosphere. Instead, I propose a less frequent but more meaningful update schedule, which allows students and teachers to focus more on learning. 

Parents can still stay informed through quarterly updates or by using Skyward, while students remain proactive in tracking their own progress. This change will reduce the stress on students, empower teachers to focus on what matters most—education.

Please join me in signing this petition to encourage Mercer Island High School to rethink the current grading notification process. Together, we can make a positive change for the benefit of our entire school community.