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Students appreciative of movie experience

To the Journal editor:

When Dr. Frank Farbod and his wife, Jean, discovered the movie “Wonder” would be showing this fall, Jean contacted me with the news that Frank wanted to take our fifth-graders to the movies!

It all started in 2015 when I emailed the Facial Surgery Institute asking Dr. Frank to come to our school because we were reading the book “Wonder.” We have read the book, written by R.J. Palacio, every year since it came out to teach empathy and compassion.

Frank carved some time out of his busy schedule and presented to our Gilbert fifth-graders, along with purchasing everyone Wonder gift bags from the Children’s Craniofacial Association. Frank told me he wanted to continue staying connected with future visits.

Dec. 1, 2017, Gilbert fifth-graders from the Gwinn Area Community Schools and their teachers boarded a school bus and went to the matinee at the Thomas Theatre Group, all due to the generosity of Frank and Jean Farbod.

Laughter and tears filled the theater during the movie and our students were appreciative of the experience.

This is much more than generosity. This is about kindness and empathy. Everyone has a different perspective on life. The book and movie are written specifically to point that out to the audience.

In my opinion people who have empathy can create a united sense of humanity; a beautifully cut gem representing many perspectives.

There is a quote in the book “Wonder” when the main character, Auggie, receives the Henry Ward Beecher Prep award: “He is the greatest, whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own.” Frank and Jean Farbod have carried up many hearts and continue to spread kindness.

Thank you for a wonderful experience that will affect students’ perspectives about the world.

Debbie Goldsworthy, teacher

Fifth grade

Gwinn Area Community Schools

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