“Race To Nowhere” To Screen in Marstons Mills

Let’s admit it: When our kids come home complaining about school, we are hard-pressed not to lecture them how easy they have it now. Ah, to be back in school, living a carefree life, we think.

But does this really reflect reality?

In this 21st century age-of-information overload, there seems to be pressure on kids to do as much as possible, to score the highest grades, to be as well rounded as possible and to get into the best schools.

The consequences can be dire, and that is the gist of the alternately moving and heart-wrenching film, Race To Nowhere, a social commentary on an educational system that pushes our kids to perform, rather than to learn.

The is teaming up with the to present the film on Wednesday evening, May 4, at 7 p.m. at the West Villages Elementary School Auditorium on Osterville-West Barnstable Road. Tickets are $10 online at http://rtnwestvillages.eventbright.com or $15 at the door.

The screening is the first in a lecture series organized by the Marstons Mills library addressing issues affecting parents, students and educators, from the pressure of testing, to bullying, to internet safety.

“There seems to be a pressure to do as much as possible,” said Lindsey Hughes, children's librarian of Marstons Mills Public Library, board member of the West Villages PTO and organizer of the series.

“I think everyone tries to fulfill any gaps in the school curriculum with outside activities, while schools are giving more and more homework to keep up with the pressures they face to have students do well on standardized testing," Hughes said. "All of this puts a lot of pressure on the children, parents, and schools.”

Homework can take as long as five, six, even seven hours to complete. There is one twenty minute recess per day, a 30 or 40 minute lunch period, while the extra curriculum subjects like art, music and gym class happen only once per week.

The stress adds up, manifesting itself in kids through physical ailments like headaches, excessive absenteeism, and in the most extreme, teen suicide, a topic covered in the film.

And while these issues are primarily affecting our teens, apparently the pressure begins to mount much earlier.

“Kids start hearing about standardized tests by first grade. Our third graders are encountering a lot of testing so at an early age our children are already beginning to experience pressures related to standardized testing,” said Dina Lyons, a member of the PTO at West Villages Elementary School.

According to Lyons, there are now plenty of books available targeting that age group these days, with age-appropriate help on how to handle worry.

“What 9 year old needs to be looking at a book like that?” asked Lyons.

While Lyons thinks the film will appeal primarily to the parents of children going to Barnstable High School, she is hoping that the film will serve as advance notice so that the entire community can be better prepared.

“It was definitely worth alerting our district to it so we can start thinking ahead for our children,” she said.

 This film is recommended for adults or older teens only, and there will be a discussion following the viewing.