January Newsletter 

Parents and Students: 

Spirit Week and Homecoming
The latest video game “Guitar Hero” added an exciting dimension to Spirit Week competitions. Before 450 cheering fans, our best guitarists competed for the tile. When the last chord was struck, senior Clayton Gladieux was left standing. The week kept rocking, and ended with a packed gym for Homecoming. The student, staff, alumni and parent turnout was terrific. In addition to the competitions that took place during the week, our students and families donated hundreds of gifts and thousands of food items to Triangle families in need. I was very proud of the Spirit Week 2008.  Click here for a summary of Spirit Week activities.

Exploring Opportunities for Summer 2008
The College Counseling webpage now includes information about Summer 2008 opportunities. No endorsement by Cary Academy is implied!  Postings are based on material received by the school.  Links to applications and additional information will be updated throughout the 2nd and 3rd trimester, as material is received.  Please visit College Counseling webpage for details.

Upper School Homework Survey Report-January 2008
On October 18^th, Upper School students completed a homework survey asking how much homework they did on average per course on weekdays and weekends. While some homework estimates may be over or under the actual, we think that on the whole our students are taking this survey seriously. Student feedback was anonymous; the participation rate was 98%.  

The current homework guidelines are:

• Regular courses: 30 minutes per weekday and per weekend
• Honors courses : 40 minutes per weekday and per weekend
• Advanced courses: 45 minutes per weekday and per weekend

We estimate that the times listed above are the amount of time a B+ student will take to complete homework in each of his/her five subjects. Some students are able to complete their homework in less time, some may require more time, and students who wish to achieve at the very highest level may choose to devote additional time to their studies. Students taking our college-level advanced courses, who wish to achieve the highest level in their AP exams, may need to devote significant time to their studies, especially on weekends.  

Below is an example of the data we reviewed from an honors course (guideline is currently 40 minutes per weekday and per weekend). On weekdays, one student reported spending 20 minutes each night and 5 students reported spending 45 minutes. The class average is 37.5 minutes on weekdays and 39.3 on weekends. 

                 Weekday Data                                 Weekend Data

The following chart shows by grade the average amount of time students spend on homework on weekdays and on weekends. The averages are based on the 5 major academic courses (English, Math, Science, History and Foreign Language). In the 9^th and 10^th grade all courses except Honors Algebra and Geometry are allotted 30 minutes. In the 11^th and 12^th grade many students take several advanced course that are allotted 45 minutes. Three regular and two advanced courses result in a homework load of 180 minutes. Three advanced and two regular courses result in homework of 195 minutes. Four advanced and one regular course result in homework of 210 minutes.

Grade   Homework Guideline                                                          Weekday Avg.      Weekend Avg.

9            150 minutes (5 reg. classes x 30 minutes)                            156.3                           198.5   

10          150 minutes (5 reg.  classes x 30 minutes)                            159.3                            208.5  

11          150 to 180 minutes   (150min = 5 reg. classes,                     175.3                           242.9   

(180min=2xADV+3Reg)

 12         150 to 195 minutes   (150min = 5 reg. classes)                     168.2                           244.6  

 (180 min=3xADV+2Reg)

General Findings

1. 9^th and 10^th grade students report that while weekday homework is close to the guideline, weekend homework is well-over the guideline.
2. 11^th and 12^th grade average times are influenced by the number of advanced courses students take. We estimate that the weekday load is close to the guideline, while weekend homework is well-over the guideline. 
3. Homework reported by students in advanced courses was often greater than the guideline, especially on weekends. 

Actions
Department Chairs met with their faculty to discuss the data and seek feedback. If the homework average in a course was more then 5 minutes over the guideline, teachers were asked prior to the November break to submit plans to reduce homework in their course. We will conduct a second survey in January to see our progress.

Between now and the next survey in January, teachers and students should talk to one another about homework. As educators, we want our students to have a wonderful high school experience, one that enables students to have a challenging academic experience and to take part in the many aspects of school life. Our goal is to balance these exciting opportunities, and we will continue to monitor that balance. The faculty and I welcome feedback from students and parents.  

Mid-Term Reports- posted by January 31
Faculty will provide full reports for all students taking T-2 trimester courses. At the sec­ond and third mid-terms, teachers’ comments are included for students whose average in a given course is a C- or below, for students who have shown remarkable progress in a course or whose average has dropped significantly, or for students who have below a 3 in effort. Parents are encouraged to contact individual teachers or their student’s advisors with any ques­tions or concerns.

Cumulative Exams
Except in World Languages, all students taking year-long courses will take cumulative exams at the end of the second trimester. World Language students take three trimester exams during the course of the year.  The purpose of the cumulative exams is to give students the opportunity to review material from the beginning of the year and to demonstrate their knowledge and skill. To help students prepare for these exams, the following have been put in place.

• February 12: students provided with an overview of the exam format and material to be examined.
• February 14:  last due date for major assignments
• February 20: last day for T-2 assessments
• February 21st and 22^nd: review classes held during regularly scheduled classes

For 9^th and 10^th grade students: Students will take one exam per day as noted on the schedule below. Optional Q & A sessions will be held weekdays the afternoon prior to the next exam.

For 11^th and 12^th grade students: Due to the number of students taking 2 courses in one discipline, a different schedule is required. Some students may have no exam on one day, but two exams on another day. On the half day prior to an exam, faculty will have office hours for students who may have questions.  

In a few weeks, we will post more detailed exam information and sports practice times. All students are expected to take exams at the scheduled times. Due to illness, emergencies or scheduling conflicts, make-up exams may be taken on the morning or afternoon of Friday, February 29.

Please do not make travel plans for Friday, February 29^th.  

Exam Schedule

Upcoming Events 

The US Events Calendar provides up to date information on US student events, so please check it regularly.

Martin Luther King Day      Monday, January 21 - School closed  

Winter Break                        Monday, February 4 –School closed
                                                 No homework weekend

Classes resume                     Tuesday, February 5                          

Mitch McGuigan
Head of Upper School