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DISCUSSING
THE FILM
B
DISCUSSION GUIDE: Once Upon a Time © 2015 California Newsreel
www.raisingofamerica.org
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
4. Moving to Action
Ending discussions by planning action steps creates energy and optimism,
even when the conversation has been dicult. Powerful action ideas are
most likely to come from participants themselves, so we recommend leaving
time at the end of your event, meeting or class to brainstorm.
SUGGESTIONS FOR GETTING STARTED
1. Host a special screening of Once Upon a Time for the many
organizations in your area who would have an interest in the
issues it raises: childcare center sta and parents, of course, but
also neighborhood associations and other community-based
groups, aordable housing and racial justice advocates, service
clubs, PTAs, school volunteers, social service providers, your
local chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and even
stakeholders such as law enforcement and juvenile justice.
• Remember to include government ocials and your local
Chamber of Commerce or other business groups. Invite
them to suggest ideas about how the business community
could help address the need for aordable, universal, high-
quality childcare in your city or town.
2. ere are a growing number of initiatives on the city, state and
federal level related to early childhood education. Find out
what’s happening in your city or state. Arrange to meet with
your elected representatives and their designated education
staers and explain what you think is important and why. Share
with them a copy of the lm along with key talking points.
3. In lieu of federal action, two states currently oer universal
preschool: Oklahoma and Georgia, both ‘red’ states. Research
and analyze those initiatives, how they are structured, why they
were passed into law, and what lessons—positive and negative—
you might take away from them.
(cont. ⇢ )