Students run on a high-stakes treadmill, not for the joy of learning or because they want to contribute to society, but because they think they have to score higher than 9 out of 10 of the kids around them or risk certain, life-long failure.
Sound familiar?
Called “a must see movie” by the NY Times, “Race to Nowhere” is an educational documentary film by concerned mother turned filmmaker, Vicki Abeles, who calls attention to the toll our high pressure culture takes on kids’ lives. Cheating has become commonplace, she says, stress-related illness and depression are rampant, students are disengaged, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.
The Pearce Excellence in Education Fund (similar to Lake Highlands’ Wild for Cats) will host two screenings of “Race to Nowhere” this week, followed by panel discussions and Q&A sessions.
Wednesday night panelists (Feb. 29) will be Karen Neal, Assistant to the RISD Superintendent for Post-Secondary Readiness and former J.J. Pearce principal, Annette Moran, current Pearce counselor, and Dana Rubin-Remer, M.D., F.A.A.P., Adolescent Pediatrician and Co-founder of Girls-to-Women Health and Wellness. Tickets are available online here for $10.
Thursday night panelists (March 1) will be Karen Neal, Debbie Knox, current Pearce counselor and Rebecca Padek, L.C.S.W., counselor for adolescents, college age students and parents. Tickets are available online here for $10.
The event will be held in the Pearce auditorium, 1600 N. Coit Road, and tickets are also available at the door for $15.
Update: An additional showing has been scheduled for Sunday, March 4 at 6:30pm in the sanctuary at First United Methodist Church of Richardson. Following the movie, there will be a panel discussion featuring RISD School Board member Kim Caston, FUMCR Senior Pastor Dr. Clayton Oliphant, Dr. Karl Neumann, Allyson George and Tommy Houghteling. You can register online here for free tickets.
