SUPERINTENDENT'S UNUSUAL "NO HOMEWORK" ORDER FOR EDUCATION SUMMIT NIGHT

In an effort to promote the upcoming Nov. 10 Education Summit at Columbia High School, Superintendent John Ramos has directed all teachers not to assign homework that night or schedule tests or quizzes for the next day.

Some teachers say this has never happened before and find it intrusive and an over-stepping of his authority.

He is also promising 2.5 continuing education credits to staff who come to the summit. Teachers are required to earn 20 such credits each year and normally obtain them through workshops and other professional development days. See the email Ramos sent to all teachers below:

From: Elizabeth Brinkerhoff
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2015
To: All District Staff
Subject: ON BEHALF OF DR. RAMOS  

Colleagues,
As you know, we are holding an important Education Summit on Tuesday, November 10^th from 7-9:30pm at CHS. We are trying to maximize participation in the Summit.

To make sure that families and high school students can attend, I ask all teachers not to assign any homework the night of November 10^th, and not to schedule any tests, quizzes or due dates for major assignments for November 11^th.

We really do hope that many of you will join us at the Summit! This is an opportunity to share in the development of the District’s new Strategic Plan.  While we want all voices in the community to be part of the process, we particularly need to hear from you, the staff who work with our students every single day. 
Please note that staff members will receive 2.5 continuing education credits for participating in this process. I hope you can join us!  Not only is this a critical juncture for our school district, it is also a teachable moment as our students watch the full community come together to create a blueprint for the future. 
John Ramos