Teacher forces really inefficient notes format. How can I respectfully fight this?

I find it strange to enforce such “busy work” and structure at the latter years of the high school level. If a teacher wants to verify, assign essays and papers.

If you have a good relationship with your counselor as you say, go and ask them for advice. Frame it as asking for advice rather than complaining, if you get my meaning. There is a difference in nuance.