Kids Can Have FUN, While Parents Check Out A Film With PAC

By John Voket

When Newtown High School Honors Students first heard about Tyler Jones and a way they could make a difference in the lives of local children, especially those with special needs, they literally picked up the ball and ran with it.

Now they are pitching in to help all Newtown parents interested in checking out a provocative documentary, by providing child care for any attendee to the film who needs it — at no cost.

A meeting between Newtown resident Linda Jones last year inspired the honors students to join forces in a group called Families United in Newtown (FUN). Ms Jones established the organization following the untimely passing of her son.

She envisioned the effort as a recreation program offering a place for parents to come to as a couple and get a break while their special needs children are cared for by Honors Society students and other volunteers.

Then Ms Jones met Suzanne Lang, who had formed another grassroots group, Newtown PAC — Parents Advocating for their Children. When Ms Lang was looking for some help to try and draw more parents to a benefit movie screening March 23 at Newtown High School, it seemed like a perfect opportunity for the two to pool their resources.

As a result, the collaboration will provide parents and caregivers a chance to see the documentary Race To Nowhere, while their children enjoy some supervised social and recreational activities in the adjacent high school gym. Newtown PAC is sponsoring the film and panel in conjunction with the district’s Special Education Advisory Board

“Everyone is so busy, so we thought by doing this together, we thought more people would come,” Ms Jones said. “As long as we know who is planning to need child care by having them contacting me, it’s an opportunity for kids to have a good time and be physically active while their parents get a break.”

The purpose behind PAC is to provide information to parents, as well as support, Ms Lang explained.

“Being the parent of a child with any sort of disability can be isolating, you don’t know where to turn for information,” Ms Lang said. “And while Race To Nowhere isn’t about special education, we thought the film was something that could really bring the community together.”

The documentary is described as a closeup look at the pressures on today’s students, offering an intimate view of lives packed with activities, leaving little room for downtime or family time. The film tackles the tragic side of our often achievement-obsessed culture, with interviews that explore the hidden world of overburdened schedules, student suicide, academic cheating, and young people who have checked out.

The film also poses the question: Are the young people of today prepared to step fully and productively into their future?

An interactive panel discussion on the subjects raised in the film will follow the screening.

Tickets for the film are available in advance online for $10, or will be $15 at the door, cash only. Participants for the FUN session must reserve a spot by calling Linda Jones at 203-512-6284 or by e-mail at funforthedisabled@gmail.net.

Children should be dropped off and picked up in Newtown High School Gym 3.

Discounted tickets for the documentary are available in advance at rtnnewtownhigh.eventbrite.com. More information on the movie can be found at racetonowhere.com.

Ms Lang’s group holds regular discussion meetings, occasionally featuring guest speakers, providing parents a private forum in which to candidly discuss the challenges and opportunities they face as par-ticipants in the special education system.

Meet the founders of Newtown PAC and FUN in a video profile at Newtownbee.com.