Homework Free Weekend?

How “free” is the Homework Free Weekend?

Not too long ago, I remember browsing through the CB school calendar, and seeing what seemed to be the most glorious event: the “Homework Free Weekend”.

As the days drew nearer to this magnificent event, I could feel the entire student body becoming more excited. A weekend without homework, something most students haven’t seen since elementary school, yet here we are in high school and it is being promoted.

Finally, the time came for us to enjoy this relaxing weekend off. It was so nice to not have to worry about school on my days off. But some students were not as lucky.

Mia Matista (’15) shared that her “Homework Free Weekend” was not homework free.

“I had assignments that were assigned before Friday and were due Monday or Tuesday.”

Along with Mia, Bailey Heng (’15) also had to work on her days off.

“AP Gov had the option to have homework due Tuesday, but we voted to have it due Monday because we had a test,” the senior shared. “Even though we chose to have it, I probably would have ended up doing it that weekend.”

Though there were students who were lucky enough to not have to deal with homework over the weekend, many, including myself, came back to overwhelming amounts of homework assigned Monday and due later in the week.

Matthew Spain (’15) was one of these many students.

“I did have a little more homework than normal on Monday,” he claims. “You could tell the teachers wanted to fit a more in so they could stay with the lesson plan and do everything they needed.”

Bailey also came to the same conclusion about the issue.

“I think there was more homework after the homework free weekend because teachers had to plan around the event,” she says. ” I feel like everyone just decided ‘Okay, I’ll make it due Tuesday instead of due Monday.’”

If students are noticing the spike in homework the following Mondays, then surely the teachers must be as well. Assistant Principal and Religious Studies instructor Mr. Chris Symkowick-Rose was quick to share his opinion on the matter.

“The spirit [of the Homework Free Weekend] is literally meant to provide relief to students so they can spend more time with family and so they can have some sort of break from school, opposed to doubling up and having extra work due on Tuesday,” he shared. “Really loading the students up on homework the week after or the week prior to seems to be a violation of the Homework Free Weekend.”

Most of the students I talked to did say that they had more homework the following Monday, but it’s important to remember the teachers who are sticking to the true spirit of the Homework Free Weekend.

Mrs. Nicole Brousseau is one of those awesome teachers.

“I stick to the Homework Free Weekend. I think it’s important for students to have a free weekend,” she tells. “Students work hard while they are here, and they have seven classes, so it’s important to still be a kid.”

Jalen Swanigan (’15) was blessed with having a normal amount of homework the following Monday.

“I didn’t have more homework than normal on Monday which was actually surprising. I was expecting a lot of homework,” the senior shared. “I think CB really stressed the idea of the Homework Free Weekend and it worked.”

Overall, this time the Homework Free Weekend was hit or miss depending on the student. But should the CB staff stick with it, or totally drop it?

Bailey and Matt are pro-homework free weekend.

“I liked having a homework free weekend, just because for the most part I didn’t have homework, and it was nice to relax,” she tells.

“I rather have the Homework Free Weekend just because I enjoy my weekends and taking time off from school is really nice,” Matt said.

But the homework free weekend isn’t for everyone — Mia Matista wasn’t a fan.

“I would rather have had homework over the weekend because I hated coming back to a bunch of homework,” she says. “It was really stressful.”

In lieu of everyone’s opinions, it seems like the Homework Free Weekend is a great idea, but some teachers need to embrace it more. Of course, sometimes there just isn’t anyway around an assignment or two, but if teachers can get in the spirit more, maybe the occasion can be great for everyone.