Stevenson had a no-homework night on Tuesday, Oct. 25 to encourage engagement between students and parents in looking at the coursebook and having a discussion about the future.

In addition to not assigning homework, teachers were told not to schedule quizzes or tests on Wednesday.

“We had heard that parents weren’t as included in discussions about classes that students had decided to take,” Sarah Bowen, director of student services, said. “The purpose of it was to give time to talk to each other and for students to think through their goals and how they connect to SHS course choices.”

Some students appreciated the no-homework night even if they didn’t use the extra time to look at colleges.

According to Ryan Abbott ’18, while many kids have already had college talks with their parents, the night was a useful breather as a time to catch up on schoolwork.

However, several students had schoolwork to do on the no-homework night. “Three of my five teachers assigned homework,” Nikita Jhangiani ’17 said.

Jhangiani also received a large amount of homework due Wednesday that she wasn’t able to finish Monday night.

Bowen said that administrators received feedback about students still receiving homework as well, and that the administration team is thinking about how to better communicate to teachers the objective of the no-homework night and help them understand the purpose of it.

Not all teachers faced issues with the no-homework initiative. “It was easy to work around since we were told about it ahead of time,” math teacher Michelle Gammelgaard said. “I hope students and parents took advantage of the extra time.”

Jhangiani believes that the night was especially beneficial for freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Her little sister was able to plan out her classes for her junior and senior year using the new coursebook, Jhangiani said.

Bowen said that administrators will definitely provide a similar opportunity for students and parents to have class selection and college discussions next year, though they aren’t sure what it will look like.

“We need to change it up, make it creative––and make it different.”