“Seeing the stress levels in my children rise and the suicide of a 13-year-old in my community, I set out to understand what was going on. I learned of an epidemic of stress breaking out amongst kids and a lack of preparation for college and the work place. I set out to understand the state of childhood and education.” – Vicki Abeles, Filmmaker

On Monday, Oct 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Crescenta Valley Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition and Crescenta Valley High School will host a very important documentary, “Race To Nowhere.”

On the website Race toNowhere.com, it explains that this is a documentary film examining the pressures faced by young people, teachers and parents in our high-stakes, high-pressure public and private education system and culture. 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 running rampant in our schools. Cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout abound, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired. “Race To Nowhere” is a call to mobilize families, educators, experts and policy makers to examine current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens of today and for the future.

The middle-school aged daughter of the film’s author became physically sick from stress and a 13-year-old in her community committed suicide prompting Vicki Abeles to do something about it, resulting in the “Race To Nowhere” documentary.

It is time for the Crescenta Valley to make sure our community is safer and healthier. Here are some tips from the “Race To Nowhere” site for your own family to make sure you are on the right track: Discuss what success means to your family. Reduce performance pressure. Avoid over-scheduling. Allow time for play, family, friends, downtime, reflection and sleep. Ask your children how they are feeling. Allow your children to make mistakes and learn from them. Have conversations with your children about their experiences in school. Know the signs of childhood depression. Attend school board meetings and other venues where education is discussed and policies are established and reinforced. Discuss with your child what path he/she may want to pursue after high school. Make the college search about finding the “right fit” rather than finding the “best” college. Finding the right fit will ensure college success and retention. Allow your high school children to make independent choices on course selection. Follow your instincts.

Let’s join the Crescenta Valley Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition to watch the documentary “Race To Nowhere,” and then make sure our community is mobilized to do the right thing for our children and their future.

Important dates: Oct. 3 – “Race To Nowhere” documentary screening; Oct. 12 –Bonner’s Equipment Rentals/Berolina Bakery business mixer; Nov. 9 – Fourth annual Taste of The Foothills.

Please contact our office for more details on any event. How to reach us: (818) 248-4957/ crescentachamber@aol.com / www.LaCrescenta.org / 3131 Foothill Blvd., Ste.

D.