Simsbury screening and student panel urge schools to teach AAPI history, address stigma

A documentary screening at Simsbury Center followed by a student panel urged schools to do more to make Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students visible in classroom instruction, data and supports.

The film opened by saying suicide was the leading cause of death for Asian American youth in 2019 and, "32% of API adults reported being afraid of physical attacks or threats in 2021," a statistic presented in the documentary to illustrate the community's vulnerability. Attorney General William Tong, whose interview was shown in the film, framed the problem as one of erasure: "in many places I'm invisible," he said in an excerpt, describing how even prominent figures face pressure to hide their heritage.

Panelists — led by Dr. Ty Elisha Batchelor, director of equity and access for Simsbury Public Schools — and student filmmakers from Simsbury and Farmington high schools focused on two solutions: better classroom instruction and stronger school‑based supports. Sruthi Mallavarapu, a senior at Simsbury High School who worked on the documentary, said the film's interviews helped show "how prominent members of the community… can feel so hidden and seen," calling the name‑change anecdote from Tong particularly resonant.

Students said the model‑minority stereotype and aggregated reporting hide differences among AAPI subgroups and prevent struggling students from being identified for help. Panelists recommended disaggregating data, integrating AAPI content across required English and history coursework rather than limiting it to opt‑in electives, and providing teacher training so mandated curriculum is actually taught. One student cited chronic absenteeism as an example where subgroup numbers are missing from broader reports and therefore overlooked.

Beyond curriculum, students recommended promoting cultural clubs and peer mentoring so new students learn about supports they might otherwise miss. Panelists also argued for media literacy and an ‘‘upstander’’ culture — steps they said would help reduce the normalization of racist comments and online slurs that they described as spiking during global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program closed with panelists urging attendees to tell their stories and to support school and community efforts to make AAPI experiences visible. After the panel, Simsbury Community Media ran a short fundraising appeal asking viewers to donate to sustain local programming.

The screening and discussion included documentary interviews, remarks by documentary subjects and a student Q&A; no formal actions or votes were taken. Organizers said the session was intended to raise awareness and prompt follow‑up work within local schools.