WXXI’S NEED TO KNOW LOOKS AT ROCHESTER’S URBAN-SUBURBAN PROGRAM

For immediate release
Contact: Kristin Tutino, 585-258-0253 

(Rochester, NY) June 8, 2015 – As Monroe #1 BOCES Urban-Suburban Program celebrates its 50^th anniversary, Need to Know takes an inside look at the program on Thursday, June 11 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV. Host Hélène Biandudi Hofer examines this local program as it re-evaluates its mission to reduce racial isolation in schools and looks to expand.

During the program viewers will meet Cassidy Bertram, an Urban-Suburban senior at Fairport High School, and will follow him through a regular school day. Hofer also sits down with three students from Urban-Suburban’s first graduating class to hear about their memories of the programs, their thoughts on expanding to other districts, and whether they believe the program is relevant today.

Finally, Hofer is joined in studio by Jeff Crane, Superintendent, West Irondequoit Central School District and Chairman of the Urban-Suburban Governance Committee, to talk about how the program defines success and addresses other issues from critics. Crane also shares changes being made to Urban-Suburban in the near-future. Adele Bovard, Deputy Superintendent of Administration for the Rochester City School District (RCSD) also joins the conversation to talk about what the RCSD is doing to make the district “more attractive” to suburban parents.

Need to Know is a weekly news and public affairs program produced by WXXI and hosted by Hélène Biandudi Hofer. It airs Thursday nights at 8 p.m. and repeats Sundays at 11:30 a.m. on WXXI-TV. After the show broadcasts it is available to watch online at WXXInews.org. 

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WXXI is the essential, life-long educational media resource for the Greater Rochester area. WXXI puts the community first with programming that stimulates and expands thought, inspires the spirit, opens cultural horizons and promotes understanding of diverse community issues. WXXI also has a long-term affiliation with Little Theatre, which helps enhance the cultural life of the community and strengthens two of Rochester's most vital arts institutions. Log on to wxxi.org for more information about our services and programs.