Starting next year, CHS teachers will be prohibited from assigning homework on Prom and Homecoming weekends in order to reduce student stress levels during those busy times of the year.

After a Nov. 22 PTSA viewing of Vicky Abele’s documentary, Race to Nowhere, which highlighted the immense stress placed on high school students, CHS parents and teachers felt it necessary to implement stress-relieving measures for students.

“The administration recognizes there is a problem,” PTSA president Geri Shapiro said. “They are beginning with a few elementary steps, and we will see what effect the steps have.”

Shapiro was among the teachers, administrators and parents who discussed and voted on different measures that could be taken to reduce stress. According to Shapiro, no measure was passed with complete agreement, and some proposed ideas were cut.

The group found that Homecoming and Prom were particularly stressful times of the year.

“Even if you’re not going to the dance, there are so many activities,” Principal Joan Benz said. “It would be nice not to have homework. They’ll have a stress-free weekend and do something they hadn’t thought they would be able to.”

Another measure to reduce stress includes making teachers more available. The administration is making sure that teachers post their office hours on their doors, and if at the last minute they cannot show up, they must post a note. Office hours must last for 20 minutes each day.

“Students respond well to predictability,” said Beverly Lubenetski, head of the counseling department. “If they know when a teacher is going to be available, they can plan a routine.”

According to Benz, if students need to visit multiple teachers during a lunch period, then knowing their office hours will help them to manage their time.

“Students will be able to be more organized,” Benz said. “If you’re organized, then there will be less stress.”

In order to further help students with time management, teachers have also been asked to estimate the amount of homework time required for each class. Next year, these approximations will appear in the course bulletin.

According to Lubenetski, when students register for classes, they must complete a time management chart to help plan out their schedule for the upcoming year.

A link has been added to the CHS website that explains various symptoms of stress and ways for parents to help combat it. There is also a link through which parents can contact Lubenetski with any concerns.

Students hope that these measures will be helpful, but some feel that it is not enough.

“Posting office hours will help,” junior Jonna Rautsola said. “Stress is part of school, but there is too much placed on students.”

Math teacher Kylena Cross also questions whether these new policies will help, as she feels most of the pressure students feel comes from the pressure they put on themselves.

“There’s pressure from parents and pressure students put on themselves because they’re in competition with other students,” Cross said. “I think that’s where the bulk of the pressure comes from. When you start comparing yourself to others, that’s when there’s trouble.”

Shapiro instead suggests students look at what they can do individually to reduce their own stress.

“Not every student is a straight A student, honor and AP student,” Shapiro said “Realizing and accepting this removes a lot of stress. Nothing is wrong with stress, it is when we let it rule our lives that we get into trouble.”