WVPB Education Story Archives - Page 8 of 8 - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Two Clay County Brothers Are First To Complete WVPB's Library Pathfinders Program

The Library Pathfinders program launched in June 2021, and the WVPB Education Department received its first two completions of the program earlier this week.

Zion, 4, and Malachi Davis, 7, brothers from Clay County, are the first “Pathfinders” to “create the path for others to follow,” the basis for which the program was built.

Library Pathfinders is a virtual experience offered to children pre-K through 5th grade across the Mountain State. Currently, five West Virginia libraries participate, and they can be visited by youth without leaving their homes.

The program exists to give children the ability to visit libraries across the Mountain State, an opportunity some may not normally get to experience.

Marion Davis, Zion and Malachi’s mother, was both pleased with the program and excited her children had this unique experience. ““I think it’s important to keep kids involved with our local libraries. They have so much to offer, and this program helps keep kids engaged”, said Davis. “Malachi and Zion enjoyed the videos, stories and virtual trips to libraries we might not otherwise get to visit. ‘I Know An Old Teacher’ was their favorite book from the series and they told me all about it.”

Tara Holstein, Boone-Madison Public Library interim director, is the librarian responsible for the “I Know An Old Teacher” segment of the program. When told that her segment was Zion and Malachi’s favorite, she was thrilled that they liked her choice. “I am just glad that the kids enjoyed the book,” said Holstein. “It is my go-to, and kids always love it. I am thankful for this program and the joy it produced for these children.”

WVPB education specialist Harrison Evans said it was gratifying to know that the program provides a strong enrichment activity for children across the state. “I am glad to see all the long hours and hard work put into this program pay off,” Evans said. “I am thankful for the people who helped make Library Pathfinders possible, and I hope to see more ‘Pathfinders’ as the year progresses.”

If you would like to become the next “Pathfinder,” visit https://tv.wvpublic.org/education/library-pathfinders/ and begin your journey today. To advance through the program, click a county on the Pathfinder Map, complete the associated activity and write the codeword in your Pathfinder Journal. More information about the program can be found in this article.

For questions, Evans can be reached at hevans@wvpublic.org.

WVPB Education And Ceredo-Kenova Elementary Partnered For An "Energetic" Day

Students participating in Energy Express and Summer Exploration Camp were met with an “energetic” surprise last Wednesday, June 23 at Ceredo-Kenova Elementary. WVPB education director Kelly Griffith and Alpha Pig read “Enemy Pie” to 19 Energy Express students and 17 Summer Exploration Camp students.

Both groups were ecstatic to spend time with a beloved PBS Kids Character and enjoy story time.

Griffith and WVPB educational specialist Harrison Evans were humbled by the gratitude of attending students by receiving personally handwritten/illustrated cards thanking both Alpha Pig and WVPB for the visit, story and experience of the day.

“This was a refreshing reminder of the important work WVPB Education does,” Evans said. “Seeing the smiles on each child’s face as well as how engaged they were with the book and PBS character brought me great joy! Receiving handmade cards from the students was an addition to an already rewarding experience.”

From left to right: Samantha Hensley – Mentor, Bethany Raby – Mentor, Morgan Christian – Mentor, Delaney Waugh – Mentor, Matthew Jones – Site Supervisor, Alpha Pig (Harrison Evans), Kelly Griffith and Nathan Green – Mentor.

“It was a pleasure to visit with Mr. Jones and his Energy Express team in Ceredo Kenova,” Griffith said. “Energy Express is a valuable program that serves many children across the Mountain State. I applaud the efforts of all teachers, workers and volunteers that dedicate their summers to helping West Virginia students, thank you!”

“I just wanted to say thank you to WVPB, Alpha Pig, Harrison Evans, and Kelly Griffith for making lots of children’s day and for also helping to inspire a love of reading within our youth that will span a lifetime,” site supervisor Matthew Jones said. “The Energy Express team at Ceredo – Kenova Elementary are extremely grateful for the work you do for education!”

To learn more about Energy Express and WVPB Education, visit https://tv.wvpublic.org/education/.

Alpha Pig Does The Chicken Dance On National 'Dance Like A Chicken Day'

Students from Bridgeview Elementary and Chesapeake Elementary danced like chickens alongside PBS Kids’ Alpha Pig from Super Why! during an event for West Virginia Department of Education’s Communities in Schools program on May 14. The event was hosted by the First Lady of West Virginia.

May 14 was national “Dance Like A Chicken Day,” and more than 300 elementary students and a handful of teachers participated. Additionally, a chicken mascot, and the Chik-Fil-A cow mascot joined the day’s festivities.

At its core, the Communities in Schools program seeks to build community relationships that contribute to student success. This event brought two groups of elementary students together for a day of fun and community engagement. They also had the opportunity to meet with a PBS Kids character in person.

Alpha Pig is joined by one of the winners of the Chicken Dance. She was best in her grade level.

Kelly Griffith is WVPB’s Education Director. “We were excited to join the First Lady and her staff for the event. Like everyone else, we have missed community events and gatherings. This past year has been such a challenge for us all. So, being able to attend and watch the kids as they participated brought us great joy. This event was a great way for us to reengage with students and connect as a community!”

For more information about WVPB Education, visit https://tv.wvpublic.org/education/.

Beckley Branch Library Joins WVPB Inquire Within Program

Children from the Raleigh County/Beckley area now have access to beloved PBS Kids content and characters at their local library, thanks to West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Inquire Within program and sponsorship by the Beckley Area Foundation.

Raleigh County Public Library-Beckley Branch has joined WVPB’s Inquire Within Library Program. The Inquire Within library-support program, at its core, serves to promote early elementary learning and literacy by making learning fun, engaging, approachable and beneficial to children grades K-5.

Further, this program is offered to participating libraries throughout the Mountain State as an after-school program for children to learn STEM content and other West Virginia Standards through PBS Kids material.

In its first event centered around Martha Speaks and Mother Goose, Raleigh County Public Library-Beckley Branch reached 16 children and 7 adults.

According to Amy Stover, library director, there were several things participants were able to do throughout the event, from a PBS Kids-themed scavenger hunt designed to familiarize children with the library space to gathering pieces of Humpty Dumpty to reassemble him.

“PBS Kids has taken some of the best known and most loved characters from children’s literature and created wonderful programs for children to enjoy,” Stover said. “It was our great pleasure to introduce the children, or re-introduce as the case may be, to the books those characters come from and connect it with fun activities that promote reading and critical thinking.”

This is the 14th library to join WVPB’s Inquire Within program. It’s part of the mission of WVPB’s Education Department to provide community-focused initiatives.

For more information about the Inquire Within Library Program, click here. If you have questions about how your community library can join the program, please contact WVPB Education Specialist, Harrison Evans.

Young Authors Earn Writing Awards From WVPB

Nineteen children from across the Mountain State have earned top writing awards in West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s 2021 PBS Kids Writers Contest.

Winners received certificates, prizes, cupcakes and were treated to special entertainment during a private awards ceremony for parents and their aspiring young authors and illustrators at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston last weekend.

These students penned stories and drew images in competition with kids in their grade level from across West Virginia. The contest was open to students in public and private schools, as well as those who are home schooled. This year, despite a pandemic and many students dealing with virtual learning, more than 160 students submitted stories that delighted WVPB Education Director Kelly Griffith and her panel of judges.

“I am so unbelievably proud of these children for their wonderful stories and creative illustrations. This was an impressive group of young writers, and we give a heartfelt congratulations to all the winners!” Griffith said. “It brought me great joy to showcase the winning stories and give West Virginia students some well-deserved recognition.”

The effort of all the children who entered the contest was not lost on Griffith. “I want to give a special thank you to all students who sent in entries because it takes courage to challenge yourself. I commend your willingness to participate, and I encourage every one of you to continue writing. Thank you for sharing your stories with us.”

This year’s contest was made possible with support from The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences and fellow public broadcasting station WQED of Pittsburgh. The presentation was made spectacular by its unique entertainment. Gracing the stage were Tony M. Music, who is a children’s entertainer that integrates music, literature and storytelling into an educational, interactive and fun experience; and Karlie Belle Price, a local children’s author who read from her book, “Sally the Shoe, Helpful Soles.” Griffith expressed gratitude to “Mr. Music and Ms. Price.”

“They really made the day memorable for the kids and their families.”

Meet our winning authors and illustrators:

Nineteen West Virginia students were presented awards for Excellence in Writing by West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Kindergarten Division

First place went to Carly Lou Witt of Charleston for the story, “Rachel’s New Puppy”
Second place went to Whitley Smith of Huttonsville for the story “Abigail’s Surprise”
Third place went to Elise Silber of South Charleston for the story “ Bianca’s Adventure”

First Grade Division

First place went to Jagger Staten of Amherstdale for the story “Leroy and the Magic Pencil”
Second place went to Harper Marsh of Brandywine for the story “The Butterfly That Liked Lemonade”
Third place went to Amelia Wriston of Red House for the story “Me and My Sore Toe”

Second Grade Division

First Place went to Bilal Qayyum of Charleston for the story “The Dance of the Snowflakes”
Second place went to Sophia Riley of Hurricane for the story “The Adventures of the Lost Kingdom”
Third place went to Margaret McEwuen of Charleston for the story “The Skeleton That Would Not Go Away”

Third Grade Division

First Place went to Matthew Farnsworth of Philippi for the story “The Time Traveling Squirrel Adventure”
Second place went to Mathew Carothers of Meadow Bridge for the story “Milo Gets a New Friend”
Third place went to Jackson Boone of Morgantown for the story “Bees Everywhere”

Fourth Grade Division

First Place went to Sophie Cornwell of Huntington for the story “Lily Space Veterinarian: Adventure in the Rain Wood Rain Forest”
Second place went to Ana Galvez Tolia of Morgantown for the story “The Story on How American Sign Language (ASL) Was Born!”
Third place went to Audrey Whitman of Charles Town for the story “From the Lone Star State to the Mountain State”

Fifth Grade Division

First place went to Tucker Wiant of Martinsburg for the story “Rocky in the Smokies”
Second place went to Sydney Wilson of Ona for the story “From Little to Big”
Third place went to Alaina Gialone of Bruceton Mills of “Cheetah Facts”

Readers’ Choice Award
The winner of this special award is Drake Rasnic of Mount Hope for the story “Cheese World.” Rasnic’s story will be made into an animated production by WVPB assistant producer Daniel Walker. Click here to see a preview.