WTJX Highlights Educational Programs and Resources During School Closures

‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’ is part of the lineup on PBS Kids, which is available in the territory on WTJX, either broadcast or online.

The V.I. Public Broadcasting System and its PBS member station, WTJX, has issued a news release pointing to its educational programming and online resources available to families while schools and Head Start are closed due to the novel coronavirus’s spread around the world.

On television, WTJX boasts its PBS Kids channel, available to viewers with an antenna on channel 12-2 and Viya cable channel 91. These programs are also on Channel 12, which is on the Dish network, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

According to the news release, these programs – which include “Sesame Street,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Arthur,” “Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum,” “Odd Squad” and “Wild Kratts” – teach and inspire children in areas such as the sciences, engineering, social and emotional strategies, the arts across disciplines, reading, comprehension, vocabulary, astronomy, social studies, civic skills, math and problem solving, all while being entertaining.

PBS Kids Channel shows can also be streamed online on WTJX’s website.

The system also listed what it called its core online resources:

– Resources for Educators

PBS Learning Media offers educators a variety of features that support distance learning, including easy searching by grade level, curriculum area, and national standards, as well as integration with Google Classroom and Remind.

– Digital Content and Resources

PBS NewsHour Extra is an educational platform with resources for teachers and students in sixth through 12th grades. It provides teachers with up-to-date lesson plans on current events. PBS NewsHour Extra also features student-produced stories and media literacy.

NOVA Education is for educators in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. NOVA Education has videos, audio, lesson plans, and interactives designed to enhance classroom learning.

– Resources for Children and Families

PBS Kids offers a variety of free resources to support families and caregivers, including the previously mentioned 24/7 channel with anytime access to trusted educational series for kids ages 2 through 8 and the following digital tools:

PBS Kids Video is available on mobile devices, tablets, and smart TVs. It also includes the PBS Kids 24/7 Channel which is also on WTJX-TV.

PBS Kids Games app has over 200 educational games designed to improve students reading, writing and math skills.

PBS Kids for Parents is a resource for parents with information, tips, and activities. It includes resources for talking to kids about the coronavirus, managing feelings, and encouraging healthy habits.

PBS Kids Daily Newsletter is a new weekday newsletter with activities and tips for parents as well as videos, games and offline activities for learning at home.

All of these resources are centrally accessible on WTJX’s website under the Education and PBS Kids tabs.

“WTJX is a member station of the Public Broadcasting Service, the most trusted media landscape for children to learn and grow,” said WTJX’s CEO, Tanya-Marie Singh. “As we deal with social isolation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic we want parents to feel comfortable with the knowledge that their children are able to learn the way they did, through WTJX. We’re not just on television anymore, we are on all of your smart devices; I encourage everyone involved in the teaching and learning process to visit our website or call me at 340-690-6696 for more information.”