Evan Dawson

Teachers and parents across Monroe County had to act quickly last week when the county ordered all schools to close. They’ve developed lessons and curricula that can be taught remotely.

This hour, we talk with teachers and parents about the work they are doing, the buy-in from students so far, and their recommendations for families who will be educating kids from home for the foreseeable future.

We also discuss WXXI’s new Learn at Home programming – a special education television block in support of families, educators, and students. Our guests:

• Marion French, vice president of education and interactive services at WXXI
• Cara Rager, manager of education training and family engagement at WXXI
• Erica Davis, music teacher at Williamson Central School District, and parent of three children
• Kristin Loftus, math coach at Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts, and parent of two children
  

We discuss National Safe Place Week. Safe Place programs across the country help teens in crisis find a place to stay and connects them with resources in a variety of areas. Rochester’s Center for Youth is a Safe Place partner, and it works with entities across the community to help teens in need.

This hour, we’re joined by leaders from the program and its partners to discuss how it works and its impact. We also address how it is responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Our guests:

• Elaine Spaull, executive director of the Center for Youth
• Bill Carpenter, CEO of the Regional Transit Authority
• Sparkle Wells, program manager for Safe Outreach and Safe Place
  

We continue our series of conversations about the impact of the coronavirus. This hour, we talk to local small business owners about their concerns. Some have temporarily shut down their operations, others are cancelling their events and weighing their options. They’re expressing frustrations and fear about economic pain and the path going forward.

We talk with them about the difficult decisions they have to make, and what they’d like to see in terms of policies and relief from different levels of government. Our guests:

• Danielle Ponder, local musician
• Danielle Raymo, owner of the Rochester Brainery
• Brian Van Etten, owner of The Playhouse//Swillburger
• Ellen Brenner, owner, CFO, and vice president of Fleet Feet Rochester and Buffalo, and YellowJacket Racing

Local musicians from underrepresented communities say it can be difficult to make their mark on Rochester’s music scene, particularly because there are so many cover bands in town. They argue that original music doesn’t get the love and attention it deserves, especially if it comes from marginalized communities.

We discuss the issue from a number of angles with local musicians. Our guests:

• Charles Emanuel
• Avis Reese
• Zahyia Rolle
• Danielle Ponder

*This episode of Connections begins with an update on the coronavirus pandemic from WXXI health reporter, Brett Dahlberg.

Weekend Connections is a collection of some of the most noteworthy moments from the week on Connections with Evan Dawson. This episode includes conversations about:

• A local refugee's experience growing up in Afghanistan under the Taliban;
• Elitism, with journalist and author Joel Stein;
• How public schools teach climate change.

Connections intern Emmarae Stein assisted with the production of this episode.

With experts recommending social distancing as an effective way to slow the spread of the coronavirus, many people, including the elderly and immunocompromised, might be staying in their homes for extended periods of time. What can we do to prevent loneliness and help them stay connected and included in society?

We're joined by experts who answer your questions. Our guests:

• Dr. Eric Caine, M.D., former chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center
• Sara Hopkins, licensed clinical social worker and program manager at Rochester Regional Health
• Ann Marie Cook, president and CEO of Lifespan of Greater Rochester
• Dr. Yeates Conwell, M.D., professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center