(Editor’s Note: From time to time, we’ve profiled our wonderful corporate partners in our communications. These include businesses, churches, foundations and others. Now, we’re planning to share these profiles on a more frequent basis. First up is PBS SoCal, who describe themselves as “the primary PBS station for more than 18 million people across six diverse Southern California counties.”)
Since PBS SoCal first formed a partnership with KidWorks three years ago, they’ve provided unique and groundbreaking programs that have positively impacted those we serve—from preschool through high school students, and their parents as well.
“It’s really the best partnership we could hope for,” says Noemi Juarez, KidWorks’ Director of After School Programs. “Their curriculum and programs align perfectly with our recently announced three Program Success Strategies, namely personal development, college and career readiness, and leadership development. PBS has helped us support all three program strategies by being such an integrated and intentional resource for our staff, students and families.”
Noemi says the PBS partnership extends even beyond their support of our Program Success Strategies. They are also integral to our spring programs.
“For several years, PBS has generously provided the curriculum and various materials for our weeklong spring break program,” she says. “This included instructional videos featuring their Ruff Ruffman character, a cartoon dog and his pals, who teach science lessons about mixtures and other science concepts.”
Noemi says the PBS programs during spring break also include hands-on curriculum and activities focused on various science concepts. This include a science camp, which provides a daily three hour focus on STEM. (Other STEM activities during the year have included workshops focused on various science concepts.)
Coming for spring 2020 is a PBS-led space camp, and KidWorks is honored to be the first pilot site in the nation for this exciting new way for our students to engage in projects, experiments and learning.
“Plans for space camp are being developed, and I’m certain the experience will encourage students to consider science careers as they get even more comfortable with the subject matter,” Noemi says. “Our own surveys have shown that programs focused on science help further encourage students to consider STEM-related colleges and careers.”
Noemi adds, “In addition to providing programs that energize and excite our students, PBS are also great partners for our program staff in the areas of professional development training.”
Preschool
“Our preschoolers receive a wonderful start to their love of learning thanks to the programs and curriculum provided by PBS SoCal,” says Idalia Galdamez, our Preschool Director. “The parents of our littlest learners also strongly benefit from the resources PBS provides.”
Idalia says the PBS curriculum meshes perfectly with that of our state-licensed preschool.
“PBS SoCal has enriched our program by making the children’s learning experience memorable,” Idalia says. “This includes a kinesthetic approach as well as a focus on literacy, social/emotional growth and STEAM. (Science - Technology — Engineering - Art - Math).”
Idalia also expresses gratitude to PBS for donating books for use in the classroom and at home, and for providing iPads for use in the classroom.
“Our parents also deeply appreciate how PBS has helped them become acquainted and get comfortable with technology,” Idalia says. “The technology training PBS provides also directs parents to free apps and educational games, which is really important since so many of our parents have limited incomes yet still want to do all they can to help their children excel academically.”
Idalia says PBS also adds humor and whimsy to learning, which really resonates with the preschoolers.
“For Thanksgiving, they have a visit from PBS’ very own Clifford the Red Dog, who dances and helps with reading and educational games,” Idalia says. “The week of March 2, PBS helps us celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel) by a visit from the Cat in the Hat, who reads, helps with crafts and entertains. PBS also helps us host a tea party for the preschoolers, including a visit from a costumed character. The tea party helps our children model good behavioral skills by dressing up, learning table manners and enjoying conversations with their classmates.”
Parents
Parents whose students attend our programs have also benefit from the PBS partnership, says Brenda Garcia, KidWorks’ Parent Engagement Coordinator.
“For over a year, PBS has been provided valuable workshops for the moms and dads,” she says. “PBS takes lead in conducting the classes and their staff does a wonderful job engaging the parents in the curriculum.”
Adds Brenda, “Parents really enjoy these workshops. They actively participate and find new ways of teaching their little ones. The topics are geared towards interactive learning and ways to engage younger children in learning for fun. The parents especially benefitted from an introductory Parent Academy Workshop that combined games, videos, questions and cartoons as different mediums of learning. Another workshop focused on the importance of literacy and ways parents can motivate their sons and daughters to become lifetime readers. PBS even provided the books the parents could take home, so they can help their children practice reading.”
There are so many PBS SoCal team members to thank, and we are grateful to each one who has enabled us to bring their remarkable programs to each of our four centers.
Noemi says she and the team “would especially like to offer a big shout out to Sarah Thomas and Susie B. Grimm, who have been such a pleasure to work alongside.”
We’ll continue to share ways PBS SoCal has been such a tremendous partner over the years and in the years ahead.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer