Hello Neighbor,


I’m Shaun Townley, the new interim president & CEO of WTCI PBS. After nineteen years at the station, it’s an honor to serve in this new role. Bob Culkeen, our president since January of 2020, left earlier this month to begin a new adventure at WFSU in Tallahassee. We appreciate everything Bob did to lead this station during challenging times, and we wish him all the best.


If you’re new to this newsletter, chances are pretty good that we’ve met at a recent community event. I love meeting viewers like you, who appreciate the PBS KIDS and PBS LearningMedia resources we share. The conversations I have with families & teachers reminds me that the impact of our work is felt in the homes & schools of the Tennessee Valley each and every day. Our education coordinator, Amy Walls, does a fantastic job building this newsletter each month with you in mind, so I hope you’ll let her know what’s most meaningful to you and that you'll share it with your friends & family.


With appreciation,


Shaun Townley

PBS KIDS Day is coming to Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center on Saturday, November 21! WTCI PBS and Reflection Riding are teaming up for a morning featuring a special "Wowsabout" screening, games and crafts, and a guided nature walk. The event is free and open to the public, with opportunities to learn more about the plants, animals, and habitats that make Reflection Riding special. You can reserve your spot here!

Get ready for a musical adventure with Carnival of the Animals, a new animated PBS KIDS special! When a lion’s crown goes missing, a young hero sets out to find it in a colorful story told through classical music performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. Tune in November 16 at 8:30AM on WTCI PBS or stream on PBS KIDS!

WTCI PBS is looking for volunteers to help support educational events and community outreach throughout our region! From family activities to special events, volunteers play an important role in connecting children and families with meaningful learning experiences. Interested in sharing your time and making a difference? We'd love to hear from you! Complete our volunteer interest form to learn more about getting involved!

Last month, WTCI PBS was featured in Current, a national publication covering public media. The article highlights the return of Super Why's Comic Book Adventures and how our September screening event, in partnership with the Chattanooga Public Library and Arts-Based Collaborative at UTC, helped connect local families with early literacy through hands-on learning and play. Check out the article to see how our local event became part of a national conversation about PBS KIDS. We're proud to share this recognition with the community partners and families who made it possible!

Bring the upcoming midterm elections into your classroom with Election Central from PBS LearningMedia! This collection of resources helps students explore current election news, the history of elections, and voting rights. You'll find videos, teaching tips, and classroom activities in the collection to support meaningful conversations about elections and democracy.

WTCI PBS is helping students discover the role our region played in the American Revolution! Our Freedom's Shadow educational resources are officially available as part of the American Revolution Local Lens collection on PBS LearningMedia. These free resources give 6th-12th grade educators new ways to connect students with local and Indigenous history and explore the stories that shaped our nation.

The Super Readers are back with more reading adventures in the Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures collection on PBS LearningMedia! Designed for PreK and kindergarten learners, these resources use an evidence-based approach to help children develop early literacy skills alongside their favorite reading superheroes. Educators can also explore the collection’s curriculum overview for guidance on learning goals and skill development.

Sunny days are ahead! Season 57 of Sesame Street features new adventures with Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and all their friends. This season focuses on kindness, compassion, and managing big feelings, helping young viewers learn how to navigate emotions and care for others. Check out the new episodes on PBS KIDS beginning November 23!

Celebrate the season of gratitude with a fun Thanksgiving craft from PBS KIDS! Create a Thankful Turkey with your child by writing things they're grateful for on colorful paper feathers. As you work together, talk about the people, places, and experiences that make your family feel thankful. Keep adding feathers throughout November to create a colorful reminder of all the things your family is grateful for!

For Native American Heritage Month this November, share stories that honor Native American and Alaska Native cultures with your family! PBS KIDS for Parents has put together a list of 12 children's books featuring stories by Native authors and illustrators. These books offer children a chance to explore Indigenous cultures, traditions, and experiences through reading together.

It's Thanksgiving in Elwood City, and Arthur and his friends are getting ready for the holiday! In the An Elwood City Thanksgiving game from PBS KIDS, children visit familiar characters, help prepare Thanksgiving dinners, and discover how different families enjoy the holiday. Play together for a little Thanksgiving fun while you explore family traditions and the importance of giving thanks!

Diwali is coming to the Treeborhood in a brand-new episode of Work It Out Wombats! When Mr. E's childhood friend Sundaram comes to visit, everyone pitches in to celebrate with samosas, colorful lights, and a special Rangoli. You'll learn about Diwali traditions and discover how kindness can make a celebration meaningful, even when things don't go as planned. Tune in November 2 at 9AM on WTCI channel 45.3 to share this special adventure with your family!

Looking for a tasty fall treat to make with your little ones? Try these Spiced Oatmeal Muffins from PBS KIDS for Parents, inspired by the muffins Mr. Patak shares with Molly in Molly of Denali! Baking together is a fun way for children to practice skills like measuring and following directions while building confidence in the kitchen. Best of all, you'll have a delicious batch of homemade muffins to share when you're done!

  • Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on November 2 by watching “The Catrina Mystery” from Rosie’s Rules to explore this special holiday as a family.
    
  • Light up your Diwali celebration on November 8 with this DIY Diya Craft from PBS KIDS for Parents, and help your little ones learn about the Festival of Lights!
    
  • For Veterans Day on November 11, help students explore the meaning of service and sacrifice with this lesson plan from PBS LearningMedia.
  • Get cozy for National Family PJ Day on November 14! Put on your favorite pajamas and learn to play Musical Sleeping Bags, a fun game Daniel Tiger and his friends played at their library pajama party!
    
  • For World Hello Day on November 21, learn to say hello and goodbye in different languages with a fun activity that explores how people greet one another around the world!
    
  • Thanksgiving is November 26! Find fun ways to spend the holiday together with crafts, games, recipes, and more in the PBS KIDS for Parents Thanksgiving Hub.

Support WTCI PBS's education efforts by donating today!

SUPPORT FOR WTCI PBS IS

PROVIDED BY DELTA DENTAL

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