Public Schools Are Everybody's Business
In Public Schools Are Everybody's Business, internationally-acclaimed documentary filmmaker, Tony De Nonno, has created a heartwarming, half-hour film about the educational leaders of the Center for Educational Innovation-Public Education Association (CEI-PEA) and their remarkable impact within the NYC public schools. From the KIPP Academy in the Bronx to the Wildcat Academy in Manhattan -- and more than 140 schools in between -- CEI-PEA has helped transform large, troubled public schools into successful small ones. De Nonno interweaves real-life classroom experiences in several CEI-PEA schools with personal testimony by students, teachers, parents and principals to paint a picture of how CEI-PEA's reform efforts have effected real change in the classroom. Sy Fliegel, President of CEI-PEA, explains the purpose of the organization's work: "In large inner city school districts, there is a loss of the sense of community. But with small schools, you recreate a real sense of community." A student at I.S. 187 concurs: "The teachers are so in tune with you [at CEI-PEA schools]. They know what you want to do, and they can relate to us and help us with personal issues, social issues, in school life, academics, everything." Amalia Betanzos, creator of Wildcat Academy, describes how CEI-PEA has "given wonderful advice about how we should teach, the placement of our classrooms, and finding teachers of quality. They helped in every way imaginable." At the moving conclusion, one student sums it all up: "It's making me have a better tomorrow!" A year in the making, and lovingly-edited from more than twenty hours of footage, Public Schools Are Everybody's Business paints a vision of hope and talent in the NYC public schools often eclipsed in the news media. Enhancing the spirit of the film, an original musical score by composer, performer John La Barbera is blended with a spirited performance by the nationally-acclaimed KIPP Academy String and Rhythm Orchestra and the joyful singing by the children's chorus of P.S. 154 in the South Bronx. " I strongly support CEI-PEA as an organization that will revolutionize and transform all schools into learning communities that are child centered in all areas. Chandra Williams, Principal, Catherine and Count Basie Middle School 75.
- Released
- 2004
Details
Release year: 2004
Storyline
In Public Schools Are Everybody's Business, internationally-acclaimed documentary filmmaker, Tony De Nonno, has created a heartwarming, half-hour film about the educational leaders of the Center for Educational Innovation-Public Education Association (CEI-PEA) and their remarkable impact within the NYC public schools. From the KIPP Academy in the Bronx to the Wildcat Academy in Manhattan -- and more than 140 schools in between -- CEI-PEA has helped transform large, troubled public schools into successful small ones. De Nonno interweaves real-life classroom experiences in several CEI-PEA schools with personal testimony by students, teachers, parents and principals to paint a picture of how CEI-PEA's reform efforts have effected real change in the classroom. Sy Fliegel, President of CEI-PEA, explains the purpose of the organization's work: "In large inner city school districts, there is a loss of the sense of community. But with small schools, you recreate a real sense of community." A student at I.S. 187 concurs: "The teachers are so in tune with you [at CEI-PEA schools]. They know what you want to do, and they can relate to us and help us with personal issues, social issues, in school life, academics, everything." Amalia Betanzos, creator of Wildcat Academy, describes how CEI-PEA has "given wonderful advice about how we should teach, the placement of our classrooms, and finding teachers of quality. They helped in every way imaginable." At the moving conclusion, one student sums it all up: "It's making me have a better tomorrow!" A year in the making, and lovingly-edited from more than twenty hours of footage, Public Schools Are Everybody's Business paints a vision of hope and talent in the NYC public schools often eclipsed in the news media. Enhancing the spirit of the film, an original musical score by composer, performer John La Barbera is blended with a spirited performance by the nationally-acclaimed KIPP Academy String and Rhythm Orchestra and the joyful singing by the children's chorus of P.S. 154 in the South Bronx. " I strongly support CEI-PEA as an organization that will revolutionize and transform all schools into learning communities that are child centered in all areas. Chandra Williams, Principal, Catherine and Count Basie Middle School 75.