Local Public Media Channels to Broadcast Educational Content for Pre-K to 12th Grade

New Remote Continuity of Learning Resources Website Launches

The New York State Education Department and New York's nine public television stations announced today that expanded educational resources and "Learn-at-Home" programming is now available for all of New York's students in response to school closings across the state. In addition, NYSED has launched a dedicated website featuring remote continuity of learning resources to provide districts and teachers with increased options.

Students from prekindergarten through 12th Grade will have access to PBS educational programming every weekday starting Monday, March 23rd on-air. These efforts will help ensure that all students can "Learn-at-Home", whether they have a computer or broadband at home.

"As we adapt to the ever-evolving situation around COVID-19, we're seeing heroic efforts by educators and parents to ensure that children have equitable access to home-learning," Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. "Our partners at PBS have once again stepped up to provide easily accessible, high-quality educational resources for New York students and I encourage educators and parents to make use of these additional resources."

"PBS has a long history of supporting teachers, parents and, most of all, children through its excellent educational programming and we're proud to support and recommend these resources during the unprecedented school closures," Interim Commissioner Shannon Tahoe said. "It's crucial that we limit learning loss during this time as much as possible and these free instruction and learning resources offer ideas and inspiration for parents and educators across the state."

"Online learning is not an option for a lot of kids at home because they lack access to broadband or a laptop," said Bill McColgan, Chair of the Association of Public Broadcasting Stations of New York. "That's why we are ensuring that all kids can access this at-home learning via our free, over-the-air broadcasts."

PBS to Broadcast Educational Content for Pre-K Through 12th Grade

All nine public television stations in New York are providing "Learn-at-Home" enrichment for students through their broadcast stations and increased online educational resources.

Pre-K and young learners can still watch familiar shows like Sesame Street. Elementary student broadcast schedules include trusted programs like Wild Kratts, Peg + Cat, and Cyberchase. Middle school and high school programming include shows like Nova, History Detectives, and Shakespeare Uncovered. As always, many additional programs are also available to stream on the free PBS Video and PBS KIDS Video apps.

Since every PBS station in New York has multiple digital channels, programming will be available for young children (PreK to 4th Grade) and older children (5th to 12th Grade) on different digital channels. They can be viewed for free over-the-air with a television antenna or on cable.

"PBS ensures that its content is not only engaging, but aligned to state and national learning standards, so parents can feel comfortable knowing it's going to reinforce what has been taught," said Rachel Friedman, a Suffolk County teacher. "I am so glad that PBS is providing this so quickly in this crisis."

Parents and educators should check local listings for their local public television stations for additional information on schedules and channel lineup. You can find your local PBS station by using the PBS Station Finder.

Local stations will also provide more specific educational information and resources developed in conjunction with local school districts, BOCES, parents, and teachers.

New York's educators and parents can continue to access free educational resources that supplement and augment learning on the website, PBSLearningMedia.org. PBS LearningMedia provides original digital content and supplemental viewing guides for on-air programming that assist in learning. New special collections have been created for each grade level to make it easy for parents and teachers to select appropriate content if they are new to using the service. Webinars and online support materials have already been taking place and will continue to help educators make use of PBS LearningMedia as a distance learning tool.

For more information, please visit your local station:

• WNED - Buffalo
• WXXI - Rochester
• WCNY - Syracuse
• WSKG - Binghamton
• WPBS - Watertown
• Mountain Lake PBS - Plattsburgh
• WMHT - Albany/Troy
• WNET - New York City
• WLIW - Long Island

Remote Instruction and Continuity of Learning Resources Website

NYSED's remote Continuity of Learning Resources website is live now and includes options and examples of technology and non-technology-based resources for districts and schools, as they develop distance learning plans for students during closure due to the Novel Coronavirus.

Among many other resources, this new site features lists of digital content to enhance distance learning in a dozen subject areas including early learning, English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies and Special Education. Educators will also find digital tools to assist in communicating with students and families and creating engaging instructional opportunities for students.

NYSED's site also provides non-technological suggestions for schools and parents to consider when planning for continuity of learning. There are many ways students can continue learning that do not require access to a computing device.

NYSED will continue to update and add resources to this dedicated website as they become available.

(Note - if you are a retiree who is over the age of 65 and have medicare as your primary insurance you can not use telemedicine. )

The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting life for everyone as our communities battle this deadly virus. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to grow in New York state and across the country.

New York state is requiring all insured health coverage to waive the member cost share for COVID-19 testing and the site visit where the testing takes place.

To assure that everyone has access to testing and diagnosis for this serious virus, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is implementing these benefits now for all employer groups.

Effective 3/16/2020, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield will implement the following benefit changes:

* Prior authorizations will be waived for diagnostic tests and for covered services that are medically necessary and consistent with CDC guidance for members if diagnosed with COVID-19.

* Coverage of medically necessary diagnostic tests that are consistent with CDC guidance related to COVID-19 at no cost share to the member.

* Members will have coverage with no out-of-pocket expense to them, for in-network provider office visits, in-network urgent care visits and emergency room visits resulting in testing for COVID-19. If an in-network provider is not available, the Health Plan will cover testing at an out-of-network provider with no out-of-pocket expense to the member.

* Members with high deductible health plans will not be responsible for copayments, coinsurance and deductibles for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)-related testing even if the deductible has not been met, under new guidance from the Internal Revenue Service. This also means that an individual with an HDHP that covers these costs may continue to contribute to a health savings account (HSA).

* During the state of emergency, all telemedicine visits will be covered in full. Members will have no cost share.

For all our members, we are making dedicated clinical staff available to address inquiries related to medical services, ensuring timeliness of responses related to COVID-19. The Health Plan will also ensure that patient testing and any subsequently needed care are done in close coordination with federal, state and public health authorities.

These are uncertain times and we appreciate your understanding.

Telemedicine gives you fast access to medical care 24/7/365, from the comfort of your home, desk or hotel room. Through Excellus’s partnership with MDLIVE, you’ll receive the same quality of care you receive from your own doctor, but more conveniently via your phone, tablet or computer.

When to use telemedicine?

 Instead of going to urgent care or the emergency room for minor and non-life threatening conditions

 Whenever your primary care doctor is not available

 If you live in a rural area and don’t have access to nearby care

 When you’re traveling for work or on vacation

Don’t wait until you need it. Here are some easy ways to activate telemedicine today.

WEB: Register/Log in at ExcellusBCBS.com/Member

APP: Download the MDLIVE app

TEXT: Text EXCELLUS to 635483

VOICE: Call 1-866-692-5045