More than 40 school districts across Nebraska are currently participating in the “Be There” campaign designed to inspire positive parent and adult interaction with our school-aged children.

The campaign uses a multimedia approach to encourage parents to transform ordinary moments — like riding in the car together — into extraordinary opportunities to talk about school, learning and life. The districts who have taken delivery of the initial posters serve more than 100,000 students throughout the state, from Omaha, Millard and Papillion-LaVista, to Scottsbluff and Kimball.

“It’s a simple message, that adults can and should make an effort to pass on what they know and inspire a love of learning that can carry the child to learn new things that they can and should pass on to their kids,” says Brian Hale, director of communications for the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB). “We hope this campaign will spur further conversations about how each school and community in Nebraska can better care for our children’s needs.”

NASB, along with the Nebraska Parental Information Resource Center and the Nebraska Department of Education are helping to spread the message of “Be There” across the state by providing posters and an “invitation to parents” that can be sent home with each child.

WOWT-Channel 6 has agreed to serve as a media sponsor for the event and will be airing public service announcements and will ultimately air a public service program on the subject of parent involvement. There are also audio PSAs that will be aired throughout the state’s radio outlets.

A DVD with scenarios of parent-child interaction will also be distributed to each participating school building this winter. The DVDs can be duplicated and sent home, or used as a discussion point for school officials and parent groups.

The “Be There” program was originated by Voss and Associates in Sarasota, FL. The company developed much of the photography and materials. The “Be There” campaign is nationwide, currently promoting its message in 16 states.

Working closely with the Child Saving Institute, Channel 6 will help to raise awareness of these issues and inform viewers how they can make a difference at a personal or community level to improve life for Our Heartland Children.

The campaign includes in-depth and regular news visibility to the issue at hand as well as public service announcements driving home the message and providing resources.

Channel 6 will also help through fundraising and special projects.

Currently the campaign is supporting the BE THERE campaign encouraging interaction between parents, adults and children to make everyday moments learning moments!