Cedar Grove School Board Debates Homework

Homework was the hot topic of discussion at the recent Cedar Grove Board of Education meeting - specifically the possibility of adopting a policy that would eliminate zero grades for homework that is turned in late. 

Cedar Grove resident Lorraine Ruggiero has requested a "no zero" policy for the district since January and she suggested other penalties, such as detention. and presented a report at Monday's school board meeting that opposed the suggestion. 

High School Principal Michael Fetherman said the idea of a "no-zero" homework policy "opened up a dialogue" between the school staff and students, especially about the value of homework in the learning process. 

While a variety of opinions was presented, Fetherman said homework - in moderate amounts - is good in connecting old ideas and extending new ideas. Other committee members - Vice Principal Joseph McBride, Math and Science Supervisor David Coster, Math Teacher Janine Barboza, English Teacher Jimi DeStefano, and History Teacher Steve Gallagher - testified about the benefits of having regularly graded homework assignments and how it is connected to improved learning. DeStefano noted none of the top 25 school districts in the state have a "no zero" policy, and Coster said students generally perform better academically if homework is assigned a grade.

Several parents discussed the issue and one high school student - Dan Fanelli - even spoke out in support for keeping the homework policy because "it helps students build and prepare for college." The eleventh-grader jokingly added he wasn't paid to say that by school officials. 

The Cedar Grove School Board unanimously voted 5-0 to keep the current homework policy. Mandala and board member Pamela Burke said they would like to see some more continuity in the homework and testing policy between similar courses.

Superintendent Dr. Gene Polles said he was interested in learning more about metrics and he requested staff members return and talk about the topic in May or June. 

Other important issues
In other news, the board took the following actions:

• Listened to a referendum projects update from Robert Donahue. He said the work on windows, doors, roofs and heating and ventilation systems are under way. He said the North and South End schools are on a compressed schedule and the roof work should be completed before June, resulting in limited school disruption. 
• Approved the first reading of several new policies that would require school district workers to live in New Jersey, allow parents to waive the transportation of their child if they wish, and limit the teachers and staff's expectation of privacy during investigations of possible policy violations.
• The school officials also proposed revising policies to allow home-schooled students to participate in sports and other after-school activities, institute new program to educate and discipline dating violence and to require outside groups who use school facilities to have their students undergo a baseline concession testing. 
• Approved and accepted a $500 donation from the Junior Woman's Club of Cedar Grove for additional character education banners and a digital picture frame for Cedar Grove Memorial Middle School. 
• Revised the 2011-2012 school calendar to make May 29, an unused snow day, part of the Memorial Day weekend break. 

The Cedar Grove High School Chorus also sang at the meeting. Cedar Grove resident and parent Anthony Palma praised the young musicians and he asked school officials to consider providing more funding to bring back more music programs at the middle school level. 

Mandala said the board agrees music is important and funding will be phased in to bring back choir as an extracurricular club with the hopes of having a full vocal program in the future.