More than 230 people attended the premiere of StrikeOut at the Maya on March 28th. StrikeOut, a short docudrama by Novelas Educativas®, is about the school-to-prison pipeline, which is the result of harsh discipline policies that too often push students out of school.
The film was followed by a panel discussion. A diversity of education stakeholders offered their thoughts on the status of school discipline in Kern County. Panelists included:
- Dr. Ramona Bishop, Superintendent, Vallejo Unified School District – A champion of the national movement to dismantle the School-to-Prison Pipeline
- Dr. Robert Arias, Chief of Local and Statewide Initiatives, Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office – Former Superintendent of Bakersfield City School District
- Miguel Orozco, Writer and Producer of StrikeOut – Co-Founder, Novelas Educativas®
- Erika Brooks, DHF Education Program Director – Community advocate in the movement for Education Equity in Kern County
- Joey Williams, Lead Organizer, Faith in Action – Former KHSD student and actively engaged parent for Educational Justice
If we want a healthy community, we need to keep students in school through positive discipline policies. To get involved or to learn more click here:
http://wp.me/p4iUFU-Me
The event brought together leaders in education justice reform, key education stake-holders, and community activists.
Dolores Huerta spoke of the importance of alternative discipline policies such as Positive Behavior Intervention Supports and Restorative Justice to keep kids in school and out of the criminal justice system.
The event was at capacity. Due to overwhelming demand the Kern Education Justice Collaborative is working on a second screening.
