Rye High School has a long-standing tradition of giving no homework over December break. It is the only week of the school year that the faculty deems it appropriate to give students a relaxation period that they both cherish and deserve. However, some could argue that doing AP work over break is necessary to finish the curriculum in an already tight schedule, as well as propel class discussions upon the return to school. So what should MHS do to eliminate homework over vacation?

The answer is simple: move midterm examinations to the week before December break. There are essentially only two weeks of class in January before midterms and those will ultimately not constitute that much additional information on tests. If midterms are before December break, students will receive that week without work that is so necessary for rejuvenation. It will also eliminate the mad dash of cram studying during the three-week block in January following vacation.

Seniors do have to submit college applications around this period in December and January, but it seems that a concentration of work in December is well worth it not only to give students a true break over the winter holidays, but also to allow us to start fresh in the new year, instead of entering a period of enormous stress.

In addition, the plethora of students who participate in the MLK Assembly experience tireless hours of rehearsal and preparation that ultimately conquer vital studying time. Thus, more stress is added to a period that is already fraught with worry.

The quarter will still conclude at the end of January and midterms will continue to count as significant tests. However, regular tests will simply fall before and after the examination period, instead of only beforehand.

The MHS administration is constantly aiming to combat stress. Let’s finally defeat it by giving us a break; teenaged students are not automatons and we need some time just to be. With midterms in December, January and onward can become a period where learning is valued, instead of simply memorized and forgotten after exams come to a close.