Bulldog News

Easing homework concerns

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

By Richard Meyer
Dean of Academics

Homework often causes significant tension between parents and children. Seeking to diffuse such conflict, we hope that parents find value in the following answers to the most commonly asked homework questions.


1. What is the purpose of homework?

Homework should be designed to reinforce what has been covered in class and to give students an opportunity to practice the skills they have learned. It may introduce a topic, such as when students are assigned to read the upcoming chapter in their history book or from a novel in English class, but it should not be the forum where students are expected to learn material for the first time. Good homework assignments, carefully completed by students, allow the class to keep moving at a good pace and maximize the opportunities for students to learn and ask good questions.

2. How much time should my son be spending on homework?

In general, 5th and 6th graders should have about one hour of homework per night and our 7th, 8th, and 9th graders should be assigned about an hour and a half of homework nightly. In most cases this should average 15 to 25 minutes in any given subject per night. On some nights there might be more homework from one class and less from another. Please note that this is a time estimate from the teacher regarding how long it should take the average student in the class to complete the assignments. If your son regularly takes significantly more or significantly less time to complete his homework, please contact the Dean of Academics or your son’s advisor. We will work with you to examine the situation and recommend adjustments if necessary.

3. How much help should I give my son on his homework?

There is a fine line between being overly involved and being too laissez-faire when it comes to assisting your son with his homework. In general, parents should arrange a good atmosphere for studying. This can feature a set time and place designated for homework when the house is quiet each night. Parents should make sure their son is staying focused, help him manage his time, and make sure he is not trying to rush through assignments with less than his best effort. Parents should not be doing the homework for the child, but should be available to answer questions, provide guidance, and help with needs such as studying for tests. If you feel that you are frequently reteaching the entire lesson for your son to complete the homework, contact the Dean of Academics or your child’s advisor and we will seek to remedy the situation. Every child is different and the amount of support and guidance they will need does vary from student to student.

4. How do I know for sure what my son has for homework?

You will have two resources available to learn about your son’s homework assignments this academic year. First, as we have done for years, each child is given an assignment notebook at the beginning of the year. During each class, students are required by teachers to write down their homework assignments in this notebook. As such, you should be able to look in his assignment book each night to review his required homework. Second, new this year, Hillside will be implementing a system where teachers will post their assignments on the web via a secured Internet service. This process will enable parents to go on-line and see their son’s homework assignments, test schedules, etc. Parents will soon receive a detailed mailing about this initiative. In addition, more information will be forthcoming in both the Bulldog News section of our website and the fall/winter issue of The Hillsider.

5. What happens if my son does not do his homework?

Our teachers earnestly strive to have students complete their homework. If a student does not complete his assignment on a given day, his name and the homework that he owes are indicated on the Late Work List sheet. Subsequently, the student must then submit his work to the Dean of Academics before he can be removed from the list. Boarding students who are on the Late Work List must remain after study hall each night until their assignment is completed, thereby missing some of their free time. Any student still on the list by Friday afternoon must report to the Dean of Academics to complete his work, rather than participate in clubs. The list is distributed to advisors each morning so they may keep track of any advisees who are missing work. In addition, we will notify the parents of day students, on an as needed basis, if their sons appear on the Late Work List.

I hope this synopsis of Hillside’s homework policy has been helpful to you and other parents. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me via email at: rmeyer@hillsideschool.net or by phone: 508-481-4615. Thank you and we look forward to working with your son this academic year!

Caleb Gillett '11 writes down an evening homework assignment.