A New York elementary school principal has come under fire from parents after banning her teachers from assigning their pupils any homework . According to local news site DNAinfo , Jane Hsu , who is the principal at P.S . 116 in Kips Bay , Manhattan , sent a letter home to the parents of all Pre-K through fifth grade students informing them that the school 's teachers would no longer be assigning work for the children to do outside of school hours . She suggested that her students ' time would be better spent focusing on other , more enjoyable , activities such as playing video games , watching TV or spending time outside . Scroll down for video . Putting her foot down : P.S . 116 principal Jane Hsu ( left ) , pictured with assistant principal Gary Shevell , has banned homework for pupils at her school . 'The topic of homework has received a lot of attention lately , and the negative effects of homework have been well established , ' Ms Hsu explained to parents in the letter . 'They include : children 's frustration and exhaustion , lack of time for other activities and family time and , sadly for many , loss of interest in learning . ' Ms Hsu added that she was 'excited that we are redefining the landscape of homework ' , before going on to explain that she did n't believe she was 'eliminating ' homework , but rather adjusting the expectations of both her parents and her pupils in terms of what that phrase means . But while her students are no doubt delighted at the news , their parents are less enthused by the school 's decision . ' I was just thinking maybe I 'll keep my daughter here for another year , but this pushed me over the edge , ' Daniel Tasman , the father of a second grade pupil at the school , told DNAinfo . 'This is their time to learn now , when they have good memory , ' said Stanley , the parent of a third grade pupil at P.S . 116 . ' I give him extra work , though . I go to Barnes and Nobles and give him my own homework . ' Ironically , the school 's mission statement - which available on its website - states clearly that pupils are expected to 'achieve high academic standards ' and to 'take responsibility for their own learning ' . Homework-free zone : Parents of the school 's students are angry at Ms Hsu 's decision , with one father going as far as to say he would pull his daughter from her class . 'Our school , P.S . 116 , is a community of learners in which all children are encouraged to achieve high academic standards and social success , to enjoy learning , to celebrate diversity , to develop analytical skills , and to model exemplary behavior , ' the website explains . 'We empower our students to take responsibility for their own learning by recognizing that effort leads to academic success . 'They are active participants and every child has a responsibility not just to perform a task , but to do it to the best of her or his ability . ' But despite the anger and frustration being voiced by many parents however , Ms Hsu is adamant that she has made the best decision possible for pupils and added that she is 'looking forward ' to seeing what 'positive impact ' the school 's new homework options will have on both the students - and their parents . And according to Peter Pizzolongo , associate executive director at National Association for the Education of Young Children , Ms Hsu 's theory is actually not as bizarre as some of the school parents might think . Speaking to Yahoo Parenting about P.S . 116 's new homework policy , Mr Pizzolongo explained that , while children need 'the opportunity to apply what they have learned after they leave the school environment ' , that additional education time does n't necessarily have to take the more traditional form of worksheets and book-based assignments . 'When kids engage in rough and tumble play outdoors , `` big body play '' we call it , they 're not only enhancing their physical development , they 're learning how to set limits in a social-emotional context , problem solve , and make decisions , ' he added . 'These skills hit all the domains of learning . '
Ms Hsu 's , the principal of Manhattan-based P.S . 116 , informed parents last month that children would no longer be assigned any homework . She suggested that pupils ' time would be better spent pursuing other , more enjoyable activities , such as watching TV or playing video games .