On the fast-track with my little girl...

Dear Teacher:

I am writing to you to share my daughter XXX's workload as of today. Maybe you could re-think the amount of classwork and assigned homework you left for this particular class today while you were out.

I have highlighted the work she still has facing her and, as you can see, it is 7:15 p.m.

When XXX is finished this work, which I expect will be some time after midnight, she will be lucky to get 5 hours of sleep before it is time to get up, run for her bus in the dark, and do it all over again, except that tomorrow night, she has band practice for 3 hours, so XXX will not be home until 7:30.

I have to add, just for your knowledge, that XXX has been feeling ill ( she is exhausted and run down..) but has refused to miss classes to rest or possibly see her Doctor because she DOESN'T WANT TO HAVE THIS WORKLOAD PLUS MAKE-UP WORK TOO.

I also would like to remind you, that XXX is 13 years old. She has been an excellent, successful student. Her standards have her working very hard and she takes every assignment in every subject seriously. This is her first year of High School and she is taking 4 HONORS courses, is in Marching Band, county soccer and has joined a club at school.

XXX was invited to attend the field trip that you went on today but worried about missing classes, so she declined the offer. I understand that the children who did go, are excused from the assignments.

I know that we have spoken before about the relentless demands of the county pacing guides, county demanded testing schedule, and the compounding problems of the block schedule. I can only ask of you, that you continue to act as an advocate for our students and our schools and continue to be the voice of reason. Maybe this letter will help you to lobby on behalf of what you already know to be true. I wonder if there is any way to bring the unrelenting demands of the county endorsed Biology plan back to a comittee for reconsideration.

But in the meantime, I wonder if you might reconsider the assignment of such heavy amounts of homework. I am quite concerned about this workload and wonder if something more reasonable can not be considered.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration,

BIOLOGY:
(AFTER COPYING 2 pages of NOTES FROM THE OVERHEAD--)

I:FINISH THE DRILL:
(XXX has already completed the reading and the questions.)
a.)complete reading of pg. 14-20
b.)answer questions 1-5
c.)list the scientific method
d.)complete the data lab
e.) answer questions 1-5 for the data lab
f.)complete a formal lab report.

II: COMPLETE VOCABULARY:
(XXX FINISHED 30 WORDS in class...)
a.) look up the next 40 words
b.) define them, hand written on note cards

III:NOTEBOOK REFLECTION:
a.) 1-2 pages of writing, providing an analysis of the notebook, suggested improvements, areas of proficiency.
b.) provide a parent summary of the above.

(XXX FINISHED THE WORKSHEET IN CLASS)
( XXX FINISHED THE STUDY GUIDE IN CLASS)

IV: STUDY FOR TEST


GOVERNMENT:
a.) finish a worksheet
b.) do a crossword for extra credit

ENGLISH:
a.) create an illustration of similie from the text for class presentation
b.) finish explaining similies and examples in words

BAND:
a.) practice instrument
b.) prepare for parade and game this weekend
c.) attend rehearsal for 3 hours tomorrow (4-7pm.)

IN ADDITION:

GEOMETRY:
a.) complete 29 problems from the textbook
b.) STUDY FOR TEST TOMORROW