[CCHS] End of first quarter

[Art Dulong]

Good afternoon,

	We all know that students are under stress for a variety of reasons, some
self-imposed. One period of time that students seem to be under stress is
at the end of the academic quarters. At the end of the second quarter
there is a defined exam schedule for semester/mid-year exams. At the end
of the fourth quarter there is a defined exam schedule. There has been no
defined schedule at the end of the first and third quarters,

	This year, as we end the first quarter, we are experimenting with a
method to spread the student's study/stress level throughout the week.
Pasted below is an assignment of days upon which culminating assessments
will occur or are due. The distribution is by department with each
department having two assigned days. A culminating assessment does not
include the typical quizzes one might give on a daily or weekly basis. Nor
does it include the typical homework assignment that might be given on a
daily basis. The culminating assignment is the major chapter test, the
longer essay, the research paper, etc. We will be trying to spread those
out throughout the week.

	The first and third quarters seem to be the times most likely to involve
serious overload. We'll see how this experiment goes. The dept chairs will
have an opportunity to bring their observations to a meeting after the
week is over. I'd be interested to know from parents or students whether
this distribution of due dates/test dates makes a difference. 

	With that said, I want you to understand that schooling will never be
stress free, any more than work can be stress free. Indeed, experts in the
field will often speak of the benefits of stress as a learning tool and as
a catalyst to excellence. What we are trying to do is control this
particular stress to a small extent. I hope it helps.


End of First Quarter Assessment Day Distribution


	11/6			11/7			11/8			11/9			11/10
		Monday		Tuesday		Wednesday		Thursday		Friday


		English		Science		English		Math			Language
		Social Studies	Social Studies	Science		Language
		Math																				

Arthur Dulong
Principal, CCHS
(978) 341-2490 x7110