Ohlone Docushort: Life Long Learners

Ohlone: Life Long Learners, a documentary short film was created by Ohlone parents as a gift to future school communities. We came together to share news of the 50^th school anniversary and friendraise donations to create a film about what makes Ohlone special for so many people, in so many ways.

The project was inspired by the work of two cinematographers who created unique stories about the Ohlone culture and its colorful history. Jack Brook, a former student, and Matt O’Neill, a current parent created separate film projects about the school.

Jack’s 30 minute film documentary was his Palo Alto High School senior project ~2010.  His film interviewed teachers and students who share stories about school simulations and their learning importance.

“If you look at the neuroscience, it hits the episodic part of their (students) memory.  It’s something they will always be able to recall.  It’s like their Ohlone experience can be summed up by their days of the simulation.” - Bill Overton, Teacher (1980 – 2014)

Matt O’Neill is a current Ohlone dad who created a film project to learn more about the school and its history. He interviewed 14 former teachers, students, and principals representing each decade from the last 50 years. His film project took nearly a year to complete and created nearly 40 hours of film. Many of the interviews were on various Ohlone campus sites.

“Every 4-year-old I know is brilliant, until we send them to school and begin to tell them what is wrong with them - instead of asking what is it that your good at.” - Susan Charles, Principal (1997-2009)

Former Ohlone parents hired New York documentary filmmaker Jon Lynn who watched 40+ hours of footage from both cinematographers. Jon Lynn, also an elementary school parent, was inspired by the work by Jack and Matt and created the film. The Ohlone story of the first 50 years is our gift to the school and its inspired classroom teachers.

--- The Extended Ohlone Community

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