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Letter to school or institutional leaders

Introducing “Race to Nowhere” to a principal, school administrator or school board member

Dear _____________________________,

I am writing you today because I am interested in bringing a screening of the documentary film, “Race to Nowhere” to our school.

Named one of the top 10 education documentaries by TakePart.com, “Race to Nowhere" provides an inside look at the lives of students, teachers and families in our one-size-fits-all culture and education system. It has been called a “must-see” by The New York Times and “compelling” by the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education, Diane Ravitch. VIEW TRAILERS and CLIPS at www.RacetoNowhere.com/Trailers-Clips.

To date, the film has been screened at more than 6,000 schools and institutions and has been embraced by administrators, educators, parents, students, medical professionals, college professors and concerned citizens alike. It has sparked a national conversation on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.

Many people have found hosting a screening at their school to be a valuable experience. Joe Ianora, a high school principal in San Ramon, California said:

“the film provided the platform for a much needed dialogue around balance and that school leaders have been given the opportunity and responsibility to restore balance to the lives of our students.”

In another community, Dr. Anne Robinson, a pediatrician and parent shared:

“There was something about watching “Race to Nowhere” in our community that made people stop and think that we could change the experience for our children and make it better. A culture that supports student health and well-being can co-exist with a culture that supports student achievement and academic excellence. The two are not competing interests, but rather complementary interests. Well-rested, well-balanced students perform better academically and in every aspect of life.”

Jo Boaler, a Professor of Mathematics Education at Stanford University said:

“The film is amazing and identifies one of the most problematic issues in math education - the pushing down of math content to earlier and earlier grades. Math has become a performance subject for so many students, and it is no longer about the appreciation of ideas, mathematical beauty or application, it is about who can do it and who cannot. It has been disastrous for students, of all grade levels. Math really is the worst offender among the school subjects when it comes to stress, which is extremely frustrating as we know that good math teaching is exciting, non-stressful, and totally achievable. “Race to Nowhere” provides a platform for a much needed conversation and the impetus for action.”

I believe the film offers our community the chance to start an open and inclusive conversation around the health and learning needs of our students. I would love your support in bringing the film to our school. If you are interested in finding out more information about the film or how to bring it to our school, feel free to visit the “Race to Nowhere” website at www.RacetoNowhere.com. I would be happy to take the lead in the logistics of bringing the film to our community! And I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Sincerely,

___________________________________ | [your name]