Giving students multiple items of homework every day or even every week continues to put more and more stress on them and most of us already have a very busy schedule so we have little time for extras like homework. I am a student-athlete and do not get home until around 9-9:30 on Tuesdays through Thursdays and sometimes Fridays, which gives me very little time to complete my homework after I get home because I have to eat, shower and more. Kids have crazy busy schedules so giving them homework every week for multiple classes is stressful and not good for them. Homework creates stress for our children. And research has demonstrated that it “overwhelms struggling kids and removes joy for high achievers,” according to author Alfie Kohn. This is very true and needs to be addressed.
Homework does not need to be stopped but the amount given needs to be lowered drastically. According to CNN, a study from the American Journal of Family Therapy found that, “students in the early elementary school years are getting significantly more homework than is recommended by education leaders, in some cases nearly three times as much homework as is recommended.” Other people who enjoy homework will probably say that homework is good because it “helps educate kids.” If I were to be 100% honest, then I would say that this may be right for those students that don’t have extracurricular activities, but for the students that do, it does not help. It is stressful and can make students more confused than they were before.
— Skylar Beu, Trophy Club, Texas
MINDS Act endorsement
The COVID-19 virus in its raging pathway through our lives did not see borders, and instead penetrated deep into our societies, stripping many of mental safety and security along with just physical health. Back in 2016, a study found that nearly 1 billion individuals suffered from mental health conditions or substance abuse disorders worldwide, and more than 75% of individuals living in low- and middle-income countries are not able to receive mental health care and treatment. The pandemic exacerbated this phenomenon. When individuals suffer from or are exposed to untreated mental illness, this can translate to higher risks of abuse, neglect, food insecurity and violence. What’s more is that untreated global mental illness costs the global economy $1 trillion a year; if we cannot find a reason to aid out of concern for wellness, we must appeal to the economic loss generated by mental health issues.
The Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings (MINDS for short) Act (H.R. 3988/S. 2105) is currently before Congress. The MINDS Act is a bill that encourages the investment in mental health programs, including specially focused initiatives centered around the well-being of children. Underwriting child-centered initiatives is especially important when attempting to break the cycle of trauma globally. Doing so can provide the long-term positive of reducing global poverty, and even increasing national security. It is for these reasons I implore you to contact your elected officials, request them to co-sponsor the MINDS Act, insist that it is placed on the agenda and ask them to vote “yes” on the bill.
— Sarita Cavazo, Chicago
CTU’s faults
Thank you for the recent recap of the court’s rulings. It should be a headline, not an editorial. It should be referenced every time the Chicago Teacher’s Union starts to slam all things done by the city or Chicago Public Schools leadership, with fact checks on both sides required. The CTU has become the tail wagging the dog, with only self-aggrandizement and perpetuation of ranks as their motivation. Unions have a valid, but shrinking, role but this type of behavior by the CTU is one reason why unions have such a horrible public image.
— Christine Collins, Bolingbrook
Vaccine religious exemption
There are few known medical conditions that absolutely prevent a person from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, other than having had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine.
The only religion I’m aware of that people may cite for a religious exemption is the Church of Christ, Scientist. However, in that branch of Christianity, followers may elect to receive the vaccine. I have found that leaders of some congregations may advise against vaccinations. Is that recommendation based on scientific evidence, or to control adherents or motivated by political factors?
It seems to me that avoidance of the lifesaving benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine is against religious doctrines and is morally wrong.
— Sam Solomon, Deerfield
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