Educators Discuss Stressful Film

Stress can be too much for some children to take.

A new documentary, "Race to Nowhere" was shown at the Oak Middle School with almost 200 parents, school administrators, faculty, students, community members and residents from surrounding towns in attendance earlier this week.

The film by Vicki Abeles chronicles several youngsters as they struggle to cope under copious amounts of pressure to succeed at school, in sports and other extra-curricular activities. Abeles, a mother from California, noticed that all three of her children were exhibiting stress-related symptoms: headaches, stomach aches and sleep difficulties. Around that time, a local 13-year-old girl committed suicide, an action triggered, at least in part according to her mother, to a poor grade.

Superintendent Dr. Joseph Sawyer introduced the film, saying that society sends “mixed messages” when it comes to student achievement. On the one hand, media reports, as well as the recent documentary, “Waiting For Superman” imply that American students are behind in international comparisons and are not being challenged enough. The recent best-selling book, “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” by Amy Chua suggests that Western parents coddle their children to their detriment.

“Race To Nowhere” raises the question of how much pressure is too much. In our achievement-obsessed, competitive society, have we inadvertently stripped children of their childhoods? The over-scheduling of activities and the overabundance of homework in the quest to be the “perfect” candidate for colleges has resulted in students who test well, but are stressed-out, sleep-deprived, ill-equipped to think critically and devoid of the joy of learning, according to the documentary.

Following the movie, a panel discussion was held, moderated by Brian Reagan, principal of Shrewsbury High School. Panel members were Todd Bazydlo, Shrewsbury High School assistant principal, Jennifer Gaudette, social studies teacher at Shrewsbury High School, Jane Lizotte, principal of Sherwood Middle School, Kristin Minio, adjustment counselor at Oak Middle School, Melanie Petrucci, parent and Dr. Kim Kusiak, parent and a child psychiatrist.

Reagan said the district would be soliciting feedback from the community to determine next steps in addressing the concerns raised by the movie.

Several School Committee members were present, including Steve Levine, Sandra Fryc and Dale Magee. Current candidate for Board of Selectmen, Henry Fitzgerald, was also in attendance, according to Sawyer.

 To learn more about the movie, check out the website