“Last one to the kitchen is a rotten egg!” All day, wherever we go the Princess (age four) announces that someone has to be the rotten egg. She picked this up at preschool.
“I’m the best,” she tells her sisters. “You're not the best, only one can be the best.”
The Butterfly (age seven) takes this statement to heart and tells me that she isn't a good student and her teacher isn't happy with her. She brought home an excellent report card, recieving all "fours" in math and reading with the exception of a couple of "threes" in effort. Is that confusing? She meets or surpasses all skill requirements, but she should be pushing herself harder to get a four in... effort? At this young age, school is already a stress. She counts the days to the weekend like a cubicle-bound office worker.
Find out what's happening in Brookfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Do you wonder how a stressful, competitive school environment effects your child? Is it a threat to their health and well being?
Vicki Abeles asked the same question when her 12-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a stress induced illness. Abeles was stunned by the answers she found while interviewing students, parents and teachers across the country. She went on to create an award winning documentary that has inspired a grassroots effort to change our educational system.
Find out what's happening in Brookfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
About the film, from the Race to Nowhere website:
Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.
What can parents do about it? To start, participate in the conversation in our community, see the film and be well informed. Watch the discussion from CNN in the video above. Read through the list at End the Race for more suggestions.
I pulled my car in the driveway and shifted into park. The Princess tensed up, ready to unbuckle and make a mad dash to the front door. “You go ahead, I’ll be the rotten egg,” I told her, turning off the engine. She calmly walked to the front door and turned to me with a sweet smile, waiting for me to catch up.
Maybe we don’t have to play this game anymore.
Parents are invited to a community viewing of Race to Nowhere at on April 5 at 7 p.m. The screening is sponsored by the Brookfield Education Foundation. Superintendent Anthony Bivona will be facilitating a panel discussion following the film.
