FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  November 7, 2006

Contact:  Kelly Jackson, WHRO Center for Regional Citizenship, 757.889.9415, kelly.jackson@whro.org

WHRO TO BROADCAST LOCALLY PRODUCED DOCUMENTARY ON EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION

Wired for Life airs November 16 at 8PM on WHRO-TV 15

Hampton Roads:  Research shows that by age five, 90% of a child’s brain structure and function is complete. Quality early learning is critical for life-long success, yet too many of our children entering kindergarten are not prepared – regardless of family income.

WHRO –TV 15 will present WIRED FOR LIFE: Early Childhood Education, a 30 minute documentary on the importance of early care and education. The program will air Thursday night, November 16, 2006 from 8 – 8:30 p.m. and will explore the good, the bad and the ugly in preparing our children to reach their full potential. Governor Tim Kaine, Secretary of Education Tom Morris, business leaders, legislators, educators and parents will discuss the social, economic and cultural importance and impact of the early years.

Program guests include:  Governor Tim Kaine; Secretary of Education Tom Morris; Executive Director of the Governor’s Working Group on Early Childhood Education Kathy Glazer; Success by 6 Director Sarah Bishop; Capital One Senior Vice President  Katherine Busser; Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney Linda Curtis; Tidewater Community College President Dr. Deborah DiCroce; STOP HEAD START Director Marsha Goodman; Delegate Phil Hamilton; Virginia Early Childhood Foundation member Paul Hirschbiel; Kids First Coalition Director Carla Javier; Superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools Dr. Steven Jones; ODU Early Childhood Education Director Dr. Katharine Kearsey, Norfolk Foundation President Angelica Light; Hampton Child Development Center Director Jaynell Oehler; Reading/English Education for Portsmouth Public Schools Director Dr. Helen Taylor; Chesapeake Health Dept Director Dr. Nancy Welch.

The production is produced by the WHRO Center for Regional Citizenship, which seeks to facilitate community collaboration on issues of regional significance.   The Center for Regional Citizenship’s funders include The Virginian-Pilot, Riverside Health System Foundation, Sentara Healthcare Foundation, Wachovia Bank, Great Atlantic Property Management and SunTrust Bank.

“Education has always been our top priority at WHRO,” said Chief Operating Officer Regina Brayboy.  “This program is especially timely as schools and parents struggle to keep pace with the growing demands on students in a global marketplace.”