Film Forum focuses on education, special unveiling planned

Lifelong Learning will welcome Dr. Rosemary Bowler as the moderator of the latest segment in the Film Forum series on Friday, January 20, at 2 p.m. This is the second in the “Something Worth Talking About” series.

A special unveiling and open house at The Island School will also take place on the same day.

“Waiting for Superman,” a documentary by Davis Guggenheim that details some of the issues facing public education, will be shown on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m.
“American Teacher,” a documentary that includes interviews with education policy experts and teachers, will be shown on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Both films will be shown in the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium.

The panel discussion will include: Bowler as moderator; Marcia Louden, Principal of L.A. Ainger Middle School;  Carolyn Cowen, Executive Director of Carroll School's Center for Innovative Education; Emily Steffan, an assistant principal for 3rd-5th graders with ReNew Schools in New Orleans; Chuck Richards, Executive Director of the Charlotte County School Employee Unions; Bayne Stevenson, a local businessman and chairman of The Island School Foundation; and Mark Pritchett, senior vice president for Community Investment at Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

When asked her opinion of the movie “Waiting for Superman” Louden responded, “It is a powerful film. It brings up a lot of good questions, although I don’t necessarily agree with all of its premises for all schools across the nation. I think it’s true of some schools in some areas, but I don’t think it’s true of all schools.”

Also on January 20, a special open house and unveiling of donor plaques will take place at The Island School, which is right next door to the Community Center. It will begin at 12:30 p.m., and anyone who is interested in attending can tour the school, listen to a brief presentation by Prinicipal Rosa Ramos and some of the school’s children, and witness the unveiling of the new signage.

The Island School has recently employed a new directional program for education called “Project Child,” and Ramos is very happy with it. It is an initiative that changes how instruction for learning is delivered. “Project Child” has transformed classrooms in over 50 schools from Florida to Connecticut.  

“It’s dedicated teachers that are going to make a great education happen,” Ramos said. “With our ‘Project Child’ program, which is a road map for educational planning, we can see a reflection of the child’s progress. We are able to tell what they are, and are not, learning.”

Stevenson said he is excited, not only about the film forum and panel discussion, but about The Island School itself.

“The Island School Foundation has experienced a successful fund raising initiative with more than three-quarters of our goal attained,” he said.  “This open house is to thank the many, many members of our community who have very generously supported the school through the Island School Foundation. The Foundation has made several grants that enhance the learning experience of our students and support efforts of a wonderful team, our principal and teachers, assistants and staff.”

The Island School was Lee County’s first Charter School and it has become a model for others, having received the highest ranking of “10” by the “Great Schools Rating.”
Call 964-0827 to find out about attending the film forum and 964-8016 for information on The Island School Open House.