Movie Screening, Free Childcare

Postponed To March 31

By John Voket

Anyone holding advance tickets to a movie screening and free recreational child care session planned for March 23 sponsored by Newtown’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC) can use those passes to access a rescheduled screening set for March 31.

The screening of the documentary Race to Nowhere, set for March 23 at Newtown High School, with recreational child care being provided free by local honors society students and volunteers from Families United for Newtown (FUN) was postponed because of anticipated winter weather Wednesday evening.

The postponement also gives any other interested residents and parents a chance to join in the activity, which was the brainchild of local parent Suzanne Lang. Ms Lang is collaborating with another parent, Linda Jones, who established the child care and recreational initiative in memory of her late son, Tyler.

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

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.

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 participants in the special education system.