Community Reflects on 'A Race to Nowhere'

Every ticket for the screening of “A Race to Nowhere” at Farmington High School Thursday night was booked.

Five hundred and twenty parents, students and concerned community members came out to the Farmington High school auditorium on one of the warmest, most beautiful nights we’ve seen this year to view the film and reflect on the pressure students face in 2011.

Planned in cooperation with Farmington Public Schools, the screening was sponsored by Farmington Library, Farmington Police Union, Farmington Public School Foundation, Farmington Youth Services, FOCUS, and West Woods Upper Elementary PTO. 

Each of these organizations felt the film was so important, and the conversation so necessary, that they wanted to ensure everyone in the community was able to participate.

The audience sat spellbound during the 85-minute film, captivated by the depiction of students struggling to manage a hectic lifestyle of hours of homework, extracurricular activities, tests, competing to get into the best colleges and its effect of their health.

“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,” the film’s website says.

An occasional gasp was heard when something hit home, but did the film actually reflect the Farmington experience? Yes and no.

Seniors Edward Fouad, Elaine Yao and Giselle Koo, who were just leaving school at 8 p.m., did not see the film, but were familiar with it.

Fouad said, “We don’t feel too much pressure, but standardized testing distorts what school is about and what education is supposed to do. Taking CMTs every year is too much.” All three students felt so much mandated testing means they are not learning history in history class — they are being taught how to do well on a test.

About half the audience remained for a community discussion, moderated by Jerry Franklin, Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network President and CEO, followed the screening. Questions that had been submitted on note cards by the audience were addressed by a  panel comprised of Gretchen White, director of counseling at Miss Porter’s School; Dave Berrill, Guidance Department chairman, Farmington High School;  Kelly Lyman, principal, Irving A. Robbins Middle School; Michael Bernier, parent; Uju Momah, a Farmington High School Senior who has earned straight As throughout high school and played basketball; Dr. Timothy Breslin, principal, Farmington High School.

One question, “how do you get teachers to accept less homework?” was answered by Irving A. Robbins Middle School Principal Kelly Lyman, who replied “We do tell parents that they can and should communicate with teachers. We try to make sure that homework is really work that is extending what is being taught, that allows students to measure their understanding of class work. Homework should be an opportunity to apply knowledge and grow.”

Dr. Timothy Breslin, principal at Farmington High School responded to the question “Are high schools nothing more than preparing for college admission?”  

“I think that is simplistic," he said. "High schools do a lot of things- socialize, address key issues such as how do you treat each other. We are starting to learn much more about how we approach education, that we do work that really does matter.”

“Do we teach only for the test?” was asked.

Gretchen White, Director of Counseling at Miss Porter’s School replied “I do think there is a lot of pressure on teachers and parents. When I think back to school and what I learned, what I really remember is a few really great teachers, not the work.”

Groups of parents paused in the lobby after the program to continue the conversation.

“This evening really made me think about how we, as a society, are bringing up this next generation,” reflected Colleen Peluso, mother of three current Farmington High School students.

Judy Rosenfield, mother of two Farmington High School students and twin six-year olds, agreed. “We are not blaming the educators, it’s the whole culture. Everything in this movie is real.”

Kathleen Greider, Farmington Superintendent of Schools summed up the program.

“We had a wonderful turnout that represents the partnership we have with our parents and our community.”