Cranford School To Screen Anti-Bullying Film

CRANFORD, NJ - Hillside Avenue School in Cranford will play host to the community for a special screening of the film "LIKE US" from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 23.

This event is free and open to all students and their parents grades 2 through 8 in the Cranford Public School District. Audience members are asked to wear and share the color orange to come together in one giant orange message of hope, visibly showing, no child should ever experience bullying, organizers said.

“We are very excited to bring the film 'Like Us' to the Cranford Community. Understanding the importance of inclusion, acceptance and teaching empathy are valued goals in our district," said Gayle Colucci, District Coordinator of Culture and Climate.

"LIKE US," a short film about bullying prevention recently won Best Local Film and Best Director of a Short Film at the 2019 Golden Door International Film Festival. The program will include the screening of the film followed by a Q & A with Director Kris Van Nest, Assistant Director Ann Wallace and selected cast members and student writers.

The discussion will be lead by motivational speaker for youth, Deepa Khiani Ramchandani. Ramchandani is an anti-bullying trained specialist and survivor who empowers kids with coping skills and a safe place to stand up and speak up, organizers said.

“'LIKE US' is a poetically beautiful film to celebrate Unity Day," said Julie Hertzog, Director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, a nationally recognized leader on bullying prevention. “It is especially powerful that the LIKE US team will be wearing the color orange at the October 23 screening, as it embodies the essential spirit of the day: practicing kindness, being accepting, and including others.”

LIKE US is directed by Van Nest and involves 72 students. It was a year long project created "For kids, by kids" under the leadership of the Family School Association Performing Arts Program of The Ethical Community Charter School in Jersey City, NJ. The screenplay was written by ten students in grades 6-8 and revolves around a group of outcasts—each facing bullying and rejection for their nonbinary gender identity, recent loss from cancer, unconventional interests, or other reasons—LIKE US raises awareness of the nuanced and widespread nature of bullying, and serves as a prevention tool to be shared with other schools and communities.

The program is sponsored by the Cranford Public Schools Parent Academy. The Cranford Public Schools Parent Academy brings informative programs to the K-12 parent community, reflective of their feedback on current issues, throughout the school year, officials said. These programs can include guest speakers, assemblies, films and activities. They work collaboratively with the Cranford safety partners as well as neighboring community organizations. Examples of past topics included; bullying prevention, drug and alcohol awareness, mindfulness, suicide prevention, cell phone use, and managing stress and anxiety. Their goal is to keep the lines of communication open with parents while providing these educational and relevant programs.

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