in our current world, driven by visual and social media, we believe that young audiences respond most effectively to a visual experience. a well-made documentary film can be a comprehensive and powerful teaching tool.
while searching the globe for the best documentaries for our year-round program, newportFILM often discovers a gem that could be of true benefit to young audiences, but this range has proven quite difficult to reach through traditional marketing methods!
we feel that the most efficient way to share these inspiring films with kids and teachers alike is to integrate them as part of their daily learning experience, which is why we are looking to bring 2-3 documentary films a year – on topics of environmental, global and social issues – directly into the schools.
the intention of the october 24th test screening of BULLY, and the lively and candid post-film panel / audience conversation that followed, was to raise awareness and garner support from the parents, teachers and administrators for the in-school documentary film program that we would like to create.
when the audience was asked if BULLY, along with relevant teaching materials for conversation, should be brought to students, there was nearly a unanimous, positive show of hands.
we want to thank everyone who attended and supported this exploratory film event, it was a powerful show of community and teamwork!
a special thanks to the following organizations for supporting this event…
middletown education collaborative
newport public education foundation
gaudet parent-teacher group
portsmouth middle school’s bullying prevention committee
and the following panel speakers for giving their expertise…
lt. john reis of P.A.V.E (partnerships to address violence through education), founder and former commander of the providence police department youth services bureau
maria sorensen of healing arts, psychotherapist with expertise in domestic violence bullying and child abuse
matt breaman of rogers high school, a science teacher and works with the alternative learning program
terrence caldwell of gaudet middle school, guidance counselor and committee member of anti-bullying program
jessica walsh of women’s resource center, director of prevention
Stay tuned!
