An AALBC.com Brownstone Series Event
Screening of the film "The Kindergarten Shuffle"will be held in Harlem, New York on Thursday September 23th 2010, 7:30 PM - Click Here to RSVP
Writer and Director Douglas Morse will speak after the screening
The
Kindergarten Shuffle
A New York City Kindergarten Admissions Process Docudrama
Director and Writer: Douglas Morse
Cast: Seth Duerr, Julia Motyka, Zeke Morse
There is nothing more primal than taking care of your child. Education is the key to long-term self-sufficiency. This film examines the quest to care for a child through the lens of that year, the year of searching for the best educational experience for your child. The Kindergarten Shuffle is unexpectedly absurd, comic, and quite moving.
The story follows three parents on their search for a kindergarten for their children. Jay has a simple plan for his son Jackson. He and his family will move into a good school zone and his son and sibling will have a solid educational experience. However, good schools in good zones face overcrowding issues. Jay discovers that schools turn away children who live in the local zones.
Uma has the private school search under control. She has all of the prerequisites. She has a precocious child, the wealth to back up her quest, the right pre-school, and the right kind of connections. However the road to a good school is never a simple one. Interviews, observed playdates, applications and endless tours await the aspirant.
Our main character, Julia faces the prospect of a local, failing school. She first explores the schools of choice in the district and the well regarded school in the next zone. She is underwhelmed by what she sees. She also explores various gifted and talented programs as it appears her son, even at four, exhibits an exceptional capacity for learning. He has an outstanding memory and the ability to excel on the various IQ tests he takes. However early on it appears that the G&T options won’t work out.
Julia then expands her search to include a private school, a Jewish day school, and a home schooling cooperative. All the time she is seeking advice and assistance from Uma and Jay as the three of them face their dwindling options.
Related Links
Official Film Website
http://kindergartenshuffle.com/
The Lottery - DVD Chronicles Competition for
Admission to Harlem Charter School
http://runt.it/reviewthelottery