Guest Blog Post by Natalie Winspear, Executive Director of Pupil Services
This week I had the opportunity to see the production, Cool Kids. I was so impressed with the every aspect of Cool Kids! First, I want to shout out to Kellie Riganti and Darin Curtis for creating a relevant, meaningful, engaging and AWESOME show designed to teach and open a conversation about bullying. There are so many positive things to say about Cool Kids. The TdS student actors and backstage crew were all professional and well organized. They tackled a difficult topic with creativity and made students feel comfortable asking difficult questions. The production was expertly layered to provide multiple opportunities for our elementary students to connect with older middle school students and ask questions/explore their experiences. First was the "show" where the actors were in character and the acting was impressive.
The show was followed by middle school students breaking character and sitting on risers closer to the audience. Mr. Curtis facilitated this discussion while participants were able to ask questions to the actors about their feelings, the characters' feelings and about bullying. After about 20 minutes of Q & A, the middle school students came into the audience and "mingled" with the younger students, including signing autographs. Finally, as each class left the auditorium, a few of the middle school students who were in the production went back to class with them to continue the Q & A. Finally, students were able to respond to questions about bullying via an online survey created by Kellie and Darin. I am so proud of our staff and students for tackling this difficult and important topic!
This week I had the opportunity to see the production, Cool Kids. I was so impressed with the every aspect of Cool Kids! First, I want to shout out to Kellie Riganti and Darin Curtis for creating a relevant, meaningful, engaging and AWESOME show designed to teach and open a conversation about bullying. There are so many positive things to say about Cool Kids. The TdS student actors and backstage crew were all professional and well organized. They tackled a difficult topic with creativity and made students feel comfortable asking difficult questions. The production was expertly layered to provide multiple opportunities for our elementary students to connect with older middle school students and ask questions/explore their experiences. First was the "show" where the actors were in character and the acting was impressive. 
The show was followed by middle school students breaking character and sitting on risers closer to the audience. Mr. Curtis facilitated this discussion while participants were able to ask questions to the actors about their feelings, the characters' feelings and about bullying. After about 20 minutes of Q & A, the middle school students came into the audience and "mingled" with the younger students, including signing autographs. Finally, as each class left the auditorium, a few of the middle school students who were in the production went back to class with them to continue the Q & A. Finally, students were able to respond to questions about bullying via an online survey created by Kellie and Darin. I am so proud of our staff and students for tackling this difficult and important topic!
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