"Race to Nowhere" Screening and Discussion at Middle School

Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School is hosting “Race to Nowhere,” a thoughtful and provocative film by Vicki Abeles. The film will be shown to the public in the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School auditorium on Friday, March 18, 2011, at 7:00 p.m.

If you care about our education, then don’t miss this movie. We are inviting parents, citizens, civic leaders, educators, students, business leaders, and anyone who cares. “Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, 'Race to Nowhere' points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

'Race to Nowhere' is a call to mobilize families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.

In a grassroots sensation already feeding a groundswell for change, hundreds of theaters, schools and organizations nationwide are hosting community screenings during a six month campaign to screen the film nationwide. Tens of thousands of people are coming together, using the film as the centerpiece for raising awareness, radically changing the national dialogue on education and galvanizing change.”

At the conclusion of the showing of the film, Mr. Brow, School Principal, and Mrs. Arnold, School Librarian, will moderate a discussion. For more information, contact Mr. Brow at tbrow@melrose.mec.edu or Mrs. Arnold at warnold@melrose.mec.edu. Ticket prices are $10 in advance (online) or $15.00 at the door.

Panelists:

• Carol Potkin, Systems Director of Behavioral Health, Hallmark Health Hospital
• Debra Curran, R.N., Infant & Toddler Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital 
• Morgan Crooks, World History teacher, Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School 
• Jessica Weber, English teacher, Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School 
• Erin Seaton, Professor, School of Education, Tufts University 
• Jennifer Kelly, Associate Director, Charlestown Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition 
• Olivia Izzi and Greg Whelan., middle school students 
• Athena Ziavras and Dan Johnson., high school students
• Moderators: Thomas L. Brow, Jr., Principal, Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School; Wendy Arnold, Librarian, Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School