PBS KIDS Virtual Edcamp for Early Childhood Educators

Idaho Public Television is excited to partner with PBS KIDS to host PBS KIDS Virtual Edcamp for Early Childhood Educators!

PBS KIDS Virtual Edcamp is NOT a traditional conference; no keynote speaker, pre-arranged content, or registration fee.

So what exactly is it? A PBS KIDS Virtual Edcamp is a local virtual gathering of PreK-3 grade educators connecting through shared experiences and peer-led conversations with a PBS twist!

An idea conceived by teachers eager to challenge the status quo and take control of their own professional learning, the Edcamp model was initially sparked by informal conversations between educators on social media. Across the country, educators were connecting on Twitter to discuss topics of interest and learn new ideas. These conversations inspired educators to continue the dialogue in person as participant-driven, peer-led gatherings.

Interested in attending? Sign up for the PBS KIDS Virtual Edcamp!

**Upon registration, a Zoom video link will be sent to the email you provide. Please use that link to join us.

Idaho Is Resilient

Idahoans are a resilient bunch. In times of crisis, we come together to help one another. In that spirit, Idaho Public Television is here for you.

We have created a  COVID-19 website dedicated to keeping the Gem State informed on the situation.  Melissa Davlin and Idaho Reports will continue coverage beyond the legislative session to provide updates including a  special hour-long live program with Gov. Brad Little this Thursday at 8pm MT | 7pm PT. In addition, look for short daily updates on Idaho coronavirus news beginning next week before and after the PBS NewsHour on our main channel.

With students at home, our Distance Learning website provides educators,  families and  communities resources to support the entire learning ecosystem, both broadcast and online. And our locally produced program  Science Trek provides a wide range of STEM-related resources.

We are making all of our local programming available without restrictions, so everyone can enjoy our full archives of Outdoor Idaho,  Dialogue,  Idaho Experience and more. Enjoy these programs on the PBS Video app and on your smart TV, streaming device or computer .

And finally, Masterpiece has prepared a list of historical dramas to watch, making us feel, however briefly, that we’ve traveled far beyond the familiarity of our living rooms.

I am very proud of our extraordinary team who are more committed than ever to doing their work, even if most of them are doing it from home. A small team of engineers and others has to be in our office to keep us on air and online with timely coverage. But, most of the 70 or so IdahoPTV staffers are working remotely. Wherever we are working, you can count on us to continue to answer your calls and emails and do the important work you rely on throughout this period.

Together, we will get through this, Idaho.

Sincerely,

Watch an Idaho Reports Special on Coronavirus in Idaho

 

An Idaho Reports Special on Coronavirus in Idaho airs on Thursday, March 19 at 8:00 PM.

Idaho is under a state of emergency, and coronavirus news is changing by the hour, with school closures and new confirmed cases. Now more than ever, you need straightforward information on how COVID-19 could affect you and your daily life. Watch Idaho Reports 8:00 PM Thursday for answers to your questions from state leaders and medical experts. Be informed, not afraid.

The show follows the airing of  the PBS NewsHour Special “Confronting the Coronavirus,” at 7:00 PM.

Stream Idaho Reports Special on Coronavirus in Idaho

What You Should Know About the Novel Coronavirus

What is COVID-19?

The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a new coronavirus that hasn’t been previously identified. The virus causing COVID-19 isn’t the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness like the common cold.

We have created a resources page to help inform those in our community who may want more information about the virus. You can also find resources for educators, resources for parents and caregivers and more.

The CDC is updating its Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) page regularly at noon, Mondays through Fridays.

‘Confronting Coronavirus’ PBS NewsHour Special Airs Thursday

It’s been less than three months since reports of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, first made international headlines. With worldwide cases — on every continent now except for Antarctica — growing significantly every day, the World Health Organization has now declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

Confronting Coronavirus: A PBS NewsHour Special — which airs Thursday, March 19, at 7 PM — will focus on health precautions for individuals and the public-at-large as well as the pandemic’s economic impact in both the United States and globally. The prime-time special, to be anchored by managing editor Judy Woodruff, will include interviews with officials; reporting from NewsHour’s bench of special correspondents throughout the world; and a virtual town hall with curated questions from people across America, to be moderated by NewsHour correspondents Amna Nawaz and William Brangham.

Nominate Your Favorite “Techy” Teacher to Be Our Digital Innovator

Idaho Public Television needs your help identifying a tech-savvy, innovative and collaborative teacher to honor as our next Digital Innovator.

The IdahoPTV Digital Innovator program recognizes Idaho teachers who enhance learning by integrating technology or digital media into their classrooms. Each spring IdahoPTV selects one Idaho K-12 educator to serve as Digital Innovator for the following school year.

Whether you’re a fellow teacher, a school administrator, a parent or a student, YOU can nominate your favorite classroom changemaker to be the 2020-2021 IdahoPTV Digital Innovator. Do you know an educator who pushes the boundaries of teaching to better engage their students, and who enhances learning by integrating technology or digital media into their classroom? A teacher who is passionate, bold and innovative? A classroom collaborator who is excited to share new resources and skills with fellow educators?

We are accepting your nominations from March 16 through April 17. Nominees must be K-12 educators holding a current teaching certificate and currently teaching in an Idaho classroom or working in an Idaho school.

You can nominate them online and include a one-page letter with the following details:

• How long have you known the educator?
• Why do you think this educator deserves to be the IdahoPTV Digital Innovator?
• What is something innovative this educator is currently doing in their classroom?

The winning Digital Innovator will be announced in May. This teacher will have opportunities to explore new teaching strategies and share their knowledge with other Idaho teachers, beginning this summer with IdahoPTV’s annual “Educate and Celebrate” event. Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, the Digital Innovator will partner with IdahoPTV education staff on professional development trainings for teachers around Idaho. They will also receive an expenses-paid trip to the Northwest Council for Computer Education (NCCE) conference in Seattle (March 2021) as well as a classroom innovation kit from IdahoPTV.

Friends of IdahoPTV Seeks New Board Members

There are many ways to help Idaho Public Television grow and prosper in our state. One way is to volunteer your time as a volunteer board director for the Friends of Idaho Public Television. 

The Friends of Idaho Public Television, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and has a board of directors comprised of individuals from across our service areas. The organization also solicits funds for the Idaho Public Television Endowment, which funds the creation and acquisition of IdahoPTV programming and capital equipment.

Board directors come from all areas of the state and have many responsibilities including advocating for public television, serving as a sounding board for our services, cultivating financial support, and serving on various board committees. 

For more information on applying to be a Friends of Idaho Public Television board director, visit our website, call (208) 373-7330, or email friendsboard@idahoptv.org.