A Western New York solution to distance learning

See how we are bridging the gap during COVID-19

The objective of BeEnriched is to reach families in Buffalo who are not able to receive school lessons via the internet.

Our program will be broadcast over a regular TV channel  Most households may not have a computer or internet access, but they do have a TV. You do NOT need cable to receive BeEnriched! The programs will also be available on this website starting the week of August 17, 2020

Production & Timing

Timing of the BeEnriched Initiative: Starting the week of August 17, 2020 and continuing for seven straight weeks, through October 2, 2020. Monday-Friday, starting at 10am and going to 12 noon. There will be four (4) different recorded half hour segments each day, Monday- Friday.  The target is K-12. It can be seen with any television, over-the-air on WNYO-TV (Sinclair) Channel 49. Also, cable 8 (Spectrum), and cable 508 (Verizon).. All forty ½ hour shows will be loaded onto this website for your educational use 24/7.

The production of BeEnriched took place at the Buffalo Performing Arts Academy on Masten Avenue in Buffalo in August, 2020. The “field trips” were taped at various cultural institutions throughout Western New York in August, 2020.
Field Trips

Arts Director Michele Agosto leads field trips to Kleinhans Music Hall), Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House, and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery 28:02

Aired on Thursday, August 20, 2020 on WNYO-TV Ch. 49 (Cable 8)

Watch all Field Trips

Many thanks to our funding organizations for making BeEnriched a reality

client
client
client
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We see this enrichment program as a way to accelerate learning for our students who may struggle with connectivity or who do not have a device at home. Almost every household has a television, so BeEnriched will be available in the homes where our students reside.

Anne Botticelli, Chief Academic Officer of the Buffalo Public Schools
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We are excited to see this important effort move forward - this demonstrates our community's dedication to our youth's well-being, and will be one of many steps to support our neighbors as we all respond to this pandemic.

Phil Haberstro, Chairman of the Wellness Institute & Lucy Connery, Executive Director
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We are honored to help families in the Buffalo area gain access to special classes this summer. We have close to 400 hundred employees at our Buffalo headquarters, many of whom reside in parts of the city where internet access is an issue. It is important to us that this learning enrichment program become a reality so that all of those children can learn remotely before in-person classes resume.

John Somers, Harmac President & CEO
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We believe this partnership will help engage school-aged children, teachers, and parents while schools are closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is our hope that these classes will bring our kids some bridging of the gap in their education that the pandemic has created.

L. Nathan Hare, CEO, Community Action Organization of Western New York (CAOWNY)

Production Team for BeEnriched

Phil Haberstro
Chairman. The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo/Healthy Communities 2030

Lucy Connery
Executive Director, The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo/Healthy Communities 2030

Paul D. Maurer
Executive Producer,Be Enriched & Program Coordinator, The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo/Healthy Communities 2030

Lou Buchheit
Producer/Director/Editor, BeEnriched

Brenda Alesii
Producer/Director/Floor Director, BeEnriched

Jacob Jaskula
Director/Floor Director, BeEnriched

Jackie Albarella
Editor, BeEnriched

Michele Agosto
Director of Arts, Buffalo Public Schools – Program Host, Field Trip Segments, BeEnriched

Bob Koshinski
Production Supervisor, Field Trip Segments, BeEnriched

Special Thanks to The many Teachers of the City of Buffalo Schools who contributed to the BeEnriched segments

Dr. Kriner Cash
Superintendent of Schools, City of Buffalo

Dr. Darren Brown-Hall
Chief of Staff, City of Buffalo Schools

Ms. Anne Botticelli
Chief Academic Officer, City of Buffalo Schools

Dr. Kelly Baudo
Assistant Superintendent, Div. of Curriculum Assessment & Instruction, City of Buffalo Schools

Mr. Chris George
Buffalo Performing Arts Academy

Ms. Mary Beth Murray
Buffalo Performing Arts Academy

Mr. David Riffel
Buffalo Performing Arts Academy

Watch and Learn

Watch our classes Monday-Friday, 10a-noon on MyTV Channel 49 / Cable 8. Or Click here to see our classes.