At-Home Learning initiative launches April 6 in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia, offering special schedule of public TV programs and online resources

ARLINGTON, VA – The Washington, D.C. region and Maryland public television stations today announced a partnership aimed at supporting the education needs of families whose children are learning from home during the coronavirus public health emergency.

The “At-Home Learning” initiative launches on Monday, April 6 on Maryland Public Television (MPT), WETA, and Howard University Television (WHUT). The primary feature of the collaboration is a coordinated schedule of educational programs selected by the stations and available weekdays to viewers free over the air, through cable and satellite providers and, in the case of MPT, on a livestream at mpt.org/livestream.

The special broadcast schedule across the three stations consists of 11 daytime hours of educational programs, beginning at 7 a.m. on MPT and continuing throughout the day on all three channels, ending at 6 p.m. on WHUT. The weekly slate of programs is structured to supplement curriculums in three segments, specifically Early Learners (Pre-K through 3rd grade), Middle Grades (4th through 8th grades), and High School (9th through 12 grade). Viewers are encouraged to check their local station’s website for weekly schedule updates. Find more scheduling information for “At-Home Learning” at weta.org, mpt.org, and whut.org.

In conjunction with their broadcast offerings, the stations are making available digital “At-Home Learning” tools. These online resources – designed for parents, caregivers, teachers and children – are available at whut.org/home/athomelearning, weta.org/athomelearning, and mpt.org/education.

The region’s “At-Home Learning” service will continue until students in the greater Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the Washington, D.C. metro area have returned to their classrooms when the coronavirus distancing precautions are relaxed.

Area families are also encouraged to subscribe to the free PBS KIDS daily newsletter. This new resource is available by visiting pbs.org/parents/pbskidsdaily. The newsletter offers activities and tips parents and guardians can use to help kids play and learn at home.

Educators may also access free digital resources to support at-home instruction by going to pbslearningmedia.org.

“All three stations understand that continuity of learning is critical for students during the coronavirus emergency,” explained MPT President and CEO Larry D. Unger. “This collaboration illustrates the power of public TV to address an emerging need by providing at-home learning resources that support and strengthen families throughout our region.”

“Education is at the core of the WETA mission, and our stellar programs and resources will well serve our local community,” said Sharon Percy Rockefeller, president and CEO of WETA. “We are proud to join forces with Maryland Public Television and WHUT to make this important content widely accessible in the National Capital Area.”

“For more than 40 years, WHUT has served the DC metro area with educational programming and a special emphasis on content and outreach activities for children in underserved communities,” said Howard University President, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick. “In this unprecedented time, Howard University, WHUT and our regional public broadcasting partners are stepping up efforts through the ‘At-Home Learning’ initiative to offer more resources for the communities we serve.”

“At-Home Learning” can be found in Maryland and the Washington, D.C.-metro area on the following channels:

• MPT – via antenna across Maryland on channels 22.1, 28.1, 31.1, 36.1, 62.1,67.1; Comcast: 22, 810, 812; Cox: 22, 1022; RCN: 22, 612; Fios: 22; 522; Dish Network: 22; 28; Direct TV: 22, 28; Mediacom: 12, 812; Charter: 12, 712; Armstrong: 103, 112. Check your local listings.

• WHUT - Comcast: 32, 802 (DC) and 19, 807 (Balt); Cox: 32; Fios: 3, 532; RCN: 23, 611; Dish Network: 8081; Direct TV: 32, 32.1

• WETA PBS – via antenna 26.1 and 26.4; Comcast: 26, 220; Cox: 26, 802, 1026; Fios: 26, 471, 526; RCN: 26, 613; Dish Network: 8076