The South Norwalk Branch Library is screening "Waiting for Superman" on Saturday, the first in a series of films about education, to be followed by a discussion with community leaders. The screening/discussion takes place from 1 to 5 p.m.
Children's librarian Sherelle Harris says education is a "hot topic" these days. "I hope this film and the panel will encourage an honest dialogue about education in Norwalk from many segments of the community, in particular the underserved communities," she says.
Panelists will include Susan Marks, superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools; Emiley Aguilar, parent advocate; Lauriston Avery, Five Mile River Nursery School director; Lauren Rosato, Norwalk Education Foundation president; and Anita Schmidt, Norwalk Branch NAACP president. Greg Burnett, a former Norwalk school board member, will moderate the discussion.
"Waiting for Superman" is an award-winning 2010 documentary that shows the plight of the American public education by following students who are desperately hoping to be selected by lottery for charter schools.
Mark your calendars for upcoming screenings/discussions:
• “Race to Nowhere,” on Saturday, May 21, 1 to 5 p.m.
• “Two Million Minutes,” on Saturday, June 11, 1 to 5 p.m.
The South Norwalk Branch Library is located at 10 Washington St., Norwalk. The screening takes place in the community room on the top level of the library. The library’s events are free and open to the public. Arrive early to allow time to park. Registration is necessary. Call 203 899-2790 Ext. 2 for more information or to register. Do not register via voicemail.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
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Glad to see the libraries working on these issues. Good work.
ReplyDeleteSee the movie if you can. Some of the scenes are chilling, most particularly the 'rubber room' in NYC. The problems with teacher tenure and inadequate facilities and funding are all too real for us in public education today - administrators included.
ReplyDeleteThere is a real bias, however. All of the parents shown are competent, intact, caring and believe in education. If only this were the case in today's world......
I am sorry I have to remain 'anonymous.'
Did anyone go? I'd love to hear about the discussion.
ReplyDeleteKudos Sherelle Harris for providing another venue in which the community can openly discuss the issue of Education.
ReplyDeleteThe film(Waiting for Superman) was thought provoking..leaving me with the thought "how have we allowed the system(education)to become so broken". How have we allowed Education to become so much about "business" and less about our children...
The panel discussion was interesting..there were several comments about the film that led to an engaging discussion. I had hoped more people would have stayed for the film panel discussion, you gain so much from simply listening to others opinions and ideas.
I encourage the community to take full advantage of this opportunity to come, listen, share and voice their opinion on this issue. We all have a vested interest in providing the very "best" education for all our children.
See the movie, get involve and make a difference in a child's life...now!