Maplewood-Richmond Heights School To Screen Public Ed Documentary

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, MO — Maplewood Richmond Heights Middle/High School will host a screening of "Backpack Full of Cash," a documentary on public education narrated by Matt Damon, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium.

Before the 2016 election, filmmakers Sarah Mondale and Vera Aronow decided to take a closer look at charter schools, vouchers and the privatization of public education. Their film follows students and educators amid a public education system starved of resources and presents an argument for improving schools though better funding, making the case that public education is a basic civil right.

"I got involved in 'Backpack Full of Cash' because I believe that every kid should have access to great public schools," said narrator Matt Damon. "I got a great education in public schools and my mom is an educator so I know just how hard teachers work every day."

Director Sarah Mondale said she also comes from a family of teachers. "I know the value of what public education did for me. Public schools face big challenges, but I think with charters and vouchers, there's a real danger of undermining the system."

Mondale and Aronow, her producer, also worked on a four-part PBS series, "School: The Story of American Public Education," narrated by Meryl Streep. Their new film is a follow-up to that series, they said, and a rebuttal to the 2010 documentary "Waiting for Superman."

The screening will be held in the school's auditorum at 7539 Manchester Road, Maplewood, MO 63143. Doors open at 6:30 and the film starts at 7, with a panel discussion to follow. The screening is free and all are welcome.

Official Website: www.BackpackFullofCash.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backp...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/backpackth...
Instagram: @backpackthefilm

Image via Shutterstock