Pleasantville Students Attend Malala Documentary

Eighty Pleasantville High School students in AP World History and AP English 12 will attend a free screening of “He Named Me Malala,” courtesy of the Students Stand with Malala educational screening program. Brian Walker of Students Stand with Malala reached out to 35 public and private schools in the Westchester area; Pleasantville was the first to respond and request tickets. Mr. Walker also provided educational materials including a film discussion guide, a curriculum guide, a student toolkit, and a link to the organization’s film campaign page.

Pleasantville High School Principal Joe Palumbo noted that “the decision was made to bring the students based on alignment with the curriculum.”

In preparing for the screening, AP English 12 teacher Gaffney Murray and her class read about and discussed “The Taliban’s War against Women,” from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Post-screening, Mrs. Murray said they will “explore the meaning and significance of some of Malala’s important ideas from her speech at the United Nations…to show them the importance of education for all students. They will also explore Malala’s idea that the pen is our most powerful weapon.”

Social Studies Chair Virginia Mancini noted, “The topic of ISIS, the Taliban, and other groups of Islamic militants is part of both the AP World History and Global History curricula.” AP World History teacher Rikki Saperstein added, “Malala’s story is empowering and inspirational and shows how history has impacted her life and her community and teaches us that everyone should have a right to education. This story connects the past to the present, which is everything the AP course is about.”

All are very appreciative of the opportunity to enhance the curriculum in this way, thanks to the Students Stand with Malala outreach.