The entire Michigan community is grateful for the response of district administrators and other educators to Gov. Whitmer’s call that schools be closed as the coronavirus begins to be transmitted in our state.
WNMU-TV understands that there is much planning yet to be done as educators work with parents, caregivers and other community institutions to assist students through these challenging times and continue educational efforts.
As your public media station, we are gearing up to serve as partners, to provide educational instruction and resources during this period and to keep students engaged in learning and engage their parents in those efforts.
It’s a crucial part of public media’s mission to ensure all kids, regardless of their capabilities, have access to continued free educational resources at home or wherever else they might be cared for.
WNMU-TV, in partnership with community educators and in collaboration with PBS stations across Michigan, will be providing educational programming and associated digital resources that adhere to Michigan’s state curriculum to foster at-home learning across all grade levels.
As many of you know, PBS educational programming and resources have been shown by multiple evaluations to be effective tools for teachers and parents. They are curriculum-based by state, and they have been classroom-tested by teachers.
The WNMU PBS Kids Channel (13.2) is available 24 hours a day seven days a week with kids’ favorite shows – Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Arthur, Pinkalicious and Peterrific, Wild Kratts, Odd Squad and many others. The programming also can be accessed on the PBS KIDS live streaming website and on the PBS KIDS app, available for free on a wide range of platforms. WNMU-TV on 13.1 will continue to provide daytime PBS KIDS programming (the schedule of children's programming on 13.1 is different from the 24/7 channel, offering families a variety of options).
We will also be providing online resources for content, activities and learning opportunities through our website and social media. We hope that you will share these materials with your organizations and communities as well.
We are working with school administrators and educators to identify the needs of the community and to work together to meet them. Please let us know what needs can be met at the situation evolves.
We know the challenges ahead for all of us. Butwe share your commitment to serving our families and communities to ensure that we cope with the crisis and that our children continue to thrive.