Houghton’s WOLV-FM Debuts COVID-19 Kids Project

WOLV’s John Carroll

Bringing some morning normalcy to the children of its listening area, 97.7 The Wolf  (WOLV-FM/Houghton) has begun to host short stories from area teachers each weekday. Known as the “CCISD’s Supporting Kids through Radio project,” these short radio segments are aired at 8:40 a.m., about the time the children would be hearing their morning announcements if they were attending class.

The idea was spearheaded by Houghton Elementary School Counselor, Micah Stipech and was embraced by the Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD) and their team of mental health professionals. It is designed to help kids during the COVID-19 Pandemic through stories and answering questions that the children pose.

Stipech looked back to FDR’s Fireside Chats for the inspiration. “As there was encouragement coming from the radio back then, we believed we could do the same for the local elementary students who do not have the daily connection with their teachers.”

John Carroll, host of the “Keweenaw’s Own Morning Show,” is glad to give a few moments of the show over to ease children’s anxieties. “If our adult listeners feel uncertain, you can just imagine how the kids feel about this.”

In case the parents or children miss the morning episode, The Wolf (thewolf.com) has uploaded the episodes to its site and has started a COVID-19 Kids Page, complementing another page through the site that is for the older listeners. “We’re starting with the archived episodes and hope to include other activities and announcements as the pandemic plays itself out,” according to Operations Manager Kevin Ericson. “We’re very pleased with the show so far and are excited that the teaching community has already promised new shows into June.”