GCPS TV honored with 2013 EMMY Award

The Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recently presented Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) with an EMMY Award for “Love that Book!” a local GCPS TV production. GCPS TV was announced as a winner during the 2013 Southeast Regional EMMY Awards Gala on Saturday, June 8, 2013, in Atlanta.

Storyteller and New York Times best-selling children’s book author Carmen Deedy joins the following GCPS Broadcast and Distance Learning team members (L-R): Faraz Ahmed, producer and Brookwood High graduate; Greg LaHatte, GCPS director of broadcast and distance learning; Carmen Deedy, author and host for "Love that Book!"; Kolinda Scialabba, information specialist and writer/producer for "Love that Book!"; Bruce Lennox, broadcast production specialist; Glenn Ballard, media technology manager and director for "Love that Book!"; Randall Tolliver, editor.

At the event, the Academy recognized the most experienced and talented television professionals from all disciplines of the industry from the Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Asheville, NC, television markets.

Gwinnett’s award-winning production of “Love That Book! – Duck, Duck, President” was honored with the EMMY Award in the following category: “Outstanding Achievement: News and Program Specialty Excellence, Children/Youth (12 and under) Program. Kolinda Scialabba, writer/producer; Glenn Ballard, director; Randall Tolliver, editor; and Carmen Deedy, host. Greg LaHatte, the school district’s director of broadcast and distance learning, said, “We are pleased that the Academy continues to recognize GCPS for our children’s programming. It is wonderful to see our team’s commitment to creating and providing the highest quality of educational programming recognized. ‘Love that Book’ is another way our school system promotes reading as a fundamental for student success.”

With the goal of connecting students to great books, and keeping them engaged in reading and learning, “Love That Book” was created in the fall of 2010. Hosted by storyteller and New York Times best-selling children’s author Carmen Agra Deedy, each episode of “Love That Book” takes students on a reading adventure and helps them navigate the wonderful world of stories. In this election themed episode “Love That Book – Duck, Duck, President,” Deedy teaches young students how every vote counts – whether you are running for student council or President of the United States – and impresses upon them the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

This award is GCPS TV’s fourth EMMY, third for “Love that Book!”

GCPS TV, the educational access channel for Gwinnett County Public Schools, began operations in 2001, and can be seen by Gwinnett County cable subscribers. GCPS TV’s programming also is streamed live at http://www.gcpstv.org. Viewers interested in viewing specific, local produced programs also may do so online.

The GCPS TV award winning production can be found here: http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcpstv/video_pages/ltb08.html