Better Resolution Hillview Hawk
Hillview Middle School
A 21st Century Middle School
110 Elder Avenue
Menlo Park, California 94025
(650)326-4341
Erik Burmeister
Principal

Willy Haug
Assistant Principal

Debbie Devoto
Counselor

Robyn Watts
Counselor

Brian Darmanin
Activities Director

Danielle Ireland
Activities Director

Chris Arrington
Psychologist

Cathy Garagozzo
Administrative Assistant

Linda Pebet
Administrative Assistant

Dear Hillview Parents and Guardians, 

 

I hope you are planning to join us for our second-to-last Parent Ed event this Wednesday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hillview PAC. Audience members will be viewing powerful excerpts from the widely-acclaimed and award-winning documentary Miss Representation followed by a conversation led by me, Mr. B, with one of the most powerful and successful women in Silicon Valley -- Vice President of Worldwide Corporate Communications at Apple and Hillview parent, Katie Cotton. Joining Mr. B and Katie will be Hillview counselors. The focus of the dialogue will center on how parents and communities can help our children navigate through the often negative and over-sexualized portrayal of girls and women in the media.
 
I want to stress that this parent ed event is NOT just for mothers or parents of young girls. It is just as important, and some might argue even more important, for fathers and parents of young boys to attend. Our 8th graders viewed the same excerpts a couple of weeks ago and they found the messages in this film a powerful conversation starter. Please read the summary below and consider joining us Wednesday evening!

Summary from websiteLike drawing back a curtain to let bright light stream in, Miss Representation (87 min; TV-14 DL) uncovers a glaring reality we live with every day but fail to see. Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media's limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself.

 

In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman's value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality, and not in her capacity as a leader. While women have made great strides in leadership over the past few decades, the United States is still 90th in the world for women in national legislatures, women hold only 3 percent of clout positions in mainstream media, and 65 percent of women and girls have disordered eating behaviors.

 

Stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics ... build momentum as Miss Representation accumulates startling facts and statistics that will leave the audience shaken and armed with a new perspective.

 
As always, refreshments will be available in the Hillview PAC lobby starting at 6 p.m., and free babysitting will be provided by the Hillview Service Club in the drama room adjacent to the auditorium. 
 
Also, don't forget to calendar the final Parent Ed event of the year on Wednesday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. We will view the documentary Race to Nowhere and discuss how our community can address the stress our children face in these exponentially demanding times.

Warm Regards,

Erik Burmeister Picture

  
 
 
Erik Burmeister
(a.k.a. Mr. B)