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A recent documentary informed students, teachers and parents of the toll school can take on a child both mentally and physically.
Student government presented the film in a showing to the student body, and showings to faculty and parents that featured student panel discussions after the film on Feb. 9.
Over 450 students attended the student showing of Race to Nowhere in the auditorium, according to counselor and student activities director Tony Lee. The film, directed by Vicki Abeles, argues that America’s education system needs reform — it tells stories of young people in all grades who have been pushed to the brink, educators concerned that students aren’t developing skills they need and the parents stressing over their children’s stress, with discussion by psychologists, doctors and academic experts.
The film had a positive impact on some students who watched it. “I liked it because it teaches a lesson — everything isn’t about grades and tests,” freshman Angela Huang said.
Following the teacher viewing of the film, which was held in Room 70, the teachers asked a panel of students questions about the school-related pressures they feel. Seniors Nancy Xia and Salpi Siyahian, junior Shin San, sophomore Kimberly Verzano and freshman Kai Matsumoto-Hines (who is also a reporter for The Lowell) answered teachers’ questions about pressure they feel to take Advanced Placement classes and how much homework they think is valuable.
Some teachers who viewed the film agreed with its message. “It reinforced a lot of things I already believed in with facts, like that two hours of homework for high school students should be the maximum,” physical education teacher Michael Prutz said. Some other teachers had strong reactions to the film. “It actually made me cry,” English teacher Jennifer Moffitt said. “I was so horrified by the effects of stress. I immediately called my friend and asked how much homework her children in elementary school got. It was interesting to see different perspectives on this (from the panel).” After the community showing that evening, Xia, Siyahian, Matsumoto-Hines, junior Michelle Chan, Wellness Coordinator Jen Krasner and Abeles answered parents’ questions. The members of the panel addressed parents’ questions about whether they felt classes focus more on learning or preparing for standardized tests. The panel also discussed how much sleep students get and why students cut class, referring to the results of Student Body Council’s academic atmosphere awareness survey (see ‘Survey shines light on students’ stress on thelowell.org).
The movie brought up questions for parents who went to the viewing. “I’ve already seen it but decided to see the discussion afterwards,” said Patrice Thompson, a parent and English teacher at George Washington High School. “I’m concerned about the change in schedule here, and the homework load. They should change the schedule, at least back to what it was before.”
Getting the film to Lowell was a collaborative effort, according to Wellness Center coordinator Max Anders. “It’s something the Wellness Center tried to do for a while,” Anders said. “The PTSA thought of the idea over winter break, and we contacted them about it.”
A version of this article first appeared in the Feb. 25, 2011 print edition of The Lowell.
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