Florida PBS stations, including WGCU, have changed their weekday television schedules to air programming supporting students now learning at home.
From 6:30 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, specific blocks of time will serve levels from Pre-K through 12th grade, covering subjects including English language arts, social studies, science, and math.
These programs are aligned to state standards and are free and accessible from home. WGCU expects to begin broadcasting these programs Monday, March 23 at 6:30 a.m.
Realizing that not all students in our coverage area will have internet access throughout the day, Florida PBS decided to offer this specific educational programming on television — although it is supplemented with additional resources at wgcu.org/education.
Regularly scheduled PBS Kids programs normally found on WGCU HD can be viewed at WGCU 30.5 (or the channel assigned by your provider) or online at wgcukids.org. How-to programs normally found on WGCU HD can be viewed Create 30.3. Checkwgcu.org/tvschedules or updated the new educational television schedule, go to wgcu.org/education.
“Creating blocks of quality programming for teachers to assign to their classes to view at home, keeps everyone engaged. This is a game-changer that can level the technology playing field. PBS has always been about expanding knowledge,” said Randy Wright, chair of Florida Public Media.
Teachers can follow up with discussion questions, worksheets, or hands-on projects and experiments when they communicate with their students.
“This is an opened-ended commitment to support kids, families, and educators during this unprecedented crisis. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our program offerings to maximize WGCU’s benefit to the many communities we serve as events warrant,” said WGCU General Manager Rick Johnson.
To view the new educational television schedule, go towgcu.org/education.Teachers, administrators, school staff, parents or students with questions can contact Pamela James atpjames@wgcu.org.
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Strike up the band! The Lee County Community Band will begin its 133rd season with a lively, fun-filled, free concert on November 11 at 3 p.m. at Cape Coral High School.
In keeping with tradition for the season’s first concert, Director Richard Bradstreet has selected a program featuring spirited and patriotic American music by American composers and a salute to U.S. military veterans.
The program includes Big Band Polka, Semper Fidelis, Syncopated Clock, Carousel, and The Armed Forces Salute.
The 50-member adult band will perform six concerts between November and April. Programs typically include a mix of energetic marches, Broadway hits, old favorites, patriotic songs, and a sing-along with emcee and vocalist Norman Jones.
Band members are musicians from all walks of life – career musicians, amateurs, and folks renewing skills from years past – who reside in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties. The band welcomes new members every year.
The group rehearses Thursday evenings at St. Michael Lutheran School, Fort Myers; rehearsals for this season begin on October 18. Musicians interested in joining may phone John Fenn at 239-454-6430.
Lee County Community Band concerts are free of charge (donations accepted), and open to the public. Additional concert dates are Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 10, and April 7. All concerts will be at Cape Coral High School, 2300 Santa Barbara Boulevard, one block north of Veterans Parkway, beginning at 3 p.m.
An institution in Southwest Florida, the band enjoys a large, loyal, and enthusiastic audience at every concert. Plan to arrive early for best choice of seating.
The City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce the launch of a new youth volleyball program in September 2018. Open to children aged 10-17, the league will run from September 5 through the end of November. Practices and games will be held on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Oasis Middle School Gym.
The program will be broken down into two age divisions – one division for ages 10-13 and the other for ages 14-17. And, while each game will result in a winning and losing team, this program is being established for participants to learn the fundamentals of volleyball and, above all, to have fun.
“The City of Cape Coral is moving forward with new programs based on the needs assessment completed by the citizens of Cape Coral,” said Kerry Runyon, Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Director. “Volleyball has not been offered as a program in Cape Coral and has been a priority need for this city. We welcome the opportunity to work with Oasis Middle School for the development and partnership of this new youth volleyball program.”
Registration for the City of Cape Coral’s Youth Volleyball program will begin on Monday, July 30, 2018. The cost is $60 per child and includes a shirt. For more information about Youth Volleyball and/or registration details, visit www.CapeParks.com, call (239) 242-3486, or stop by the Parks & Recreation Athletic Office located on the second floor of Cape Coral City Hall at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.
The Cape Coral Arts Studio will host a grand re-opening event on Saturday, March 3 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in conjunction with the 33rd annual Art Focus Festival. The Arts Studio’s main building has been closed since Hurricane Irma due to extensive structural damage caused by the storm.
The Art Focus Festival is a free community event with activities including; studio tours, demonstrations, meet local artist vendors, participate in a live chalk-painting and a one-day sale in the Art Supply Store. In addition, there will be a student exhibition in the gallery from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. with an awards ceremony beginning at noon. Attendees will meet the new Arts Studio Director Julie Gerhard.
Event kicks off support drive for Heart of Florida Youth Ranch construction
Alice Skaff, executive director for Haven of Hope International (HOHI), invites the public to attend a “Season Opener for Hope & Hockey,” 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13 at Germain Arena. You will enjoy a pre-game gathering with food and drinks. There will also be a meet-and-greet with former Everblades star Ernie Hartlieb, as well as inspirational speaker John Sweet. This will be the first game of the 2017-2018 season as the Florida Everblades face off against the Atlanta Gladiators.
The event raises awareness of HOHI’s current Extreme Hope Impact action. This will enable Heart of Florida Youth Ranch in Citra, FL to serve additional children who have suffered the loss of parenting due to abandonment, abuse, neglect or death of a parent. Heart of Florida Executive Director John Sweet will mingle with guests at the pre-game gathering and share how love and hope are bringing restoration to the young lives at his facility near Ocala.
Situated among the horse and cattle ranches of Marion County, Heart of Florida nurtures the growth and development of 38 children ages 5 to 18 and is currently turning away new children due to capacity constraints. Haven of Hope has announced a capital campaign to raise the $250,000 needed to build a new cottage. This new cottage will house 10 to 12 children.
The Southwest Florida community may now partner with Haven of Hope International to raise funds for additional housing at Heart of Florida and meet Heart of Executive Director John Sweet at the Everblades season opener, which typically sells out. The cost is $30, including ticket, pre-game gathering at Germain Arena’s Olde Florida Room, appetizers and soft drinks. Sponsorships are also available. The pre-game gathering starts at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 7:30 p.m.RSVP or inquire to Alice Skaff at Alice@havenofhopeintl.org.
Donations to assist Heart of Florida Youth Ranch are now being accepted at havenofhopeintl.org/heart-of-florida. Heart of Florida is fully licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families as a private 501(c)3 and accredited by the Council of Accreditation and can be found on the web at www.hofyr.org.
Skaff said, “Our in-depth assessment of Heart of Florida Youth reveals that it is a strong facility that is already well equipped with resources, programming, staff, and training. It simply needs additional housing space to meet the continually growing need. We are excited to bring all the knowledge we learned on the ground in Bolivia to begin rescuing kids closer to home as well as around the world.”
Haven of Hope’s objective is to create an “Extreme Hope Transformation” for children in orphanages across the globe. They use the flagship Haven of Hope orphanage in Santa Cruz, Bolivia as a model. In support of distressed orphanages and the children in need of their care, Haven of Hope espouses four distinct pillars of purpose: Rescue, Love, Restore, Equip.
About Haven of Hope International
The goal is to maximize the impact orphanages are making. They are providing an environment for children rescued from poverty, abuse, and abandonment. They want these kids to feel loved and be restored, so they can dream and ultimately fulfill those dreams. This model can be found at the first Haven of Hope in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, established in January 2004. A well-equipped orphanage has the power to break the cycle of poverty and abuse. Haven of Hope International is committed to supporting the staff on the ground so they can provide the best possible experience for the children; a home that fosters true restoration and growth, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Learn more at havenofhopeintl.org.
The Lee Health Wellness Centers is inviting the community for a complimentary week to visit one of their campuses to de-stress and enjoy some time for self-care.
Their facilities offer strength and cardio equipment as well as group exercise classes. But not only that, the Cape Coral Wellness Center also offers two heated swimming pools, steam rooms and a new Mind and Body program, with more than 30 yoga classes each week with highly trained instructors. These specialized classes provide an opportunity to dive deeper into yoga practice or to learn yoga for the first time. Studies show that yoga is great for stress management.
The free week to try anything, even the yoga classes, is offered thru Oct. 31. To learn more, call 239-424-3220 or email Tracy.Siekmann@LeeHealth.org
