Film Screening & Discussion - Brooklyn Castle

When: Thursday, March 27
Place: Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA
Tickets:  http://nisce-brooklyncastle.eventbrite.com/?aff=listings

Winner of the Audience Award at the 2012 SXSW Film Festival “Brooklyn Castle” tells the stories of five members of the chess team at a below-the-poverty-line inner city junior high school that has won more national championships than any other in the country. The film follows the challenges these kids face in their personal lives as well as on the chessboard, and is as much about the sting of their losses as it is about the anticipation of their victories.

Through the inspirational stories of its characters, “Brooklyn Castle” illustrates that the “extra” in extra curricular activities are not “extra —they are essential to the teaching of what Principal Rubino calls “the whole child.” As Patrick’s story vividly demonstrates, programs like the chess team can be an indispensible way to open the door for all kinds of learning.

According to a study conducted by the Afterschool Alliance and sponsored by the JCPenny Afterschool Fund, each afternoon across the U.S., 15 million children–more than a quarter of our children–are alone and unsupervised after school. The parents of 18 million would enroll their children in an afterschool program, if one were available. Research continues to show that after school programs and enrichment activities improves student engagement and learning, improves test scores,  and helps to lower the achievement gap.

After the film, Melina O’Grady, Ed.M., Education Consultant, will reflect on the film’s message and lead a discussion with the audience. Melina has over 20 years experience working with youth and youth programs in Boston and San Francisco, focusing her work on arts education, adjudicated youth, girls programming and afterschool education.