Are you zombie scrolling too much? Try to cut down

It’s 2024. Will your average screen time go down this year?

In 2023, the average time that people spent staring at a screen was just under 7 hours, slightly higher than the worldwide average of 6.5 hours a day, according to DataReportal. Some of it is on your computer, which accounts for half of the screen time. The other half is on your mobile device. Effectively, half of our waking hours is spent looking at a screen.

Is this healthy? Probably not. Health experts recommend less than 2 hours in front of a screen daily (excluding school or work), according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

It’s not surprising. Data from Harmony (www.harmonyhit.com), a healthcare information technology company, shows that 40% of Americans are trying to cut down on their screen time this year, and another 36% feel like they should. Like all new year’s resolutions, this may not be easy.

The top application we are using when on the phone is messages. This is followed by all the social media sites—YouTube at #2 and Facebook at #3. TikTok, the latest fashionable app, is #6, just behind Instagram.

According to the study, half of Americans feel they are addicted to their devices. The younger you are, the more you tend to feel that way. The top reason is that our entertainment is more and more coming through our phones now. People often reach for their phone when bored.

In our search for the next viral video that keeps us entertained, we end up constantly checking our phones. Researchers call the behavior of scrolling for new content without a specific purpose “zombie scrolling.” Often, even if the news is bad or depressing, we still constantly look out for it; Merriam-Webster has termed this “doom scrolling.”

According to Harmony’s December 2023 study, 48% of Americans zombie scroll; they are scrolling without a specific purpose. More alarmingly, 27% of us text while at the stoplight. This might contribute to why we are hearing more honking and road rage than in the past. Also, if you ever wondered if others share the habit of using their phone on the toilet, you will find that you are among the supermajority—3 in 5 admit to doing it.

A University of Rochester Medical Center study in 2023 listed some of the signs of addiction to our smart devices:

  • Losing large amounts of time mindlessly checking apps or browsing the internet on your phone
  • Feeling anxious or restless when you cannot access your phone
  • Use of your phone has interfered with your productivity at work or at home
  • Using your phone in dangerous or inappropriate situations, such as when driving or crossing the street
  • Struggling to wait to check your phone when you receive an alert

It is hard to imagine that, just a few decades ago, baby boomer parents would have frowned upon hours and hours of TV watching. Now, every age group is spending much more time in front of the screen. Many parents nowadays still try to limit their children’s screen time. NIH reports the following among those 8 to 18 years old:

  • 28% said that their parents set TV-watching rules
  • 30% said that their parents set rules about video-game use
  • 36% said that their parents set rules about computer use

A NIH-sponsored study showed that, when parents set media rules, children’s media use dropped by 3 hours per day!

Recently, TikTok started implementing a screen limit of 60 minutes for kids under age 18. The limit can be disabled or extended via entering a passcode.

Even among adults, the Harmony survey showed that 55% feel that they waste time on their phones. And previous studies showed that excessive phone usage is linked to anxiety among younger adults.

Smartphones are a power tool for us to stay connected with our loved ones, and like all tools, we need to use it to benefit ourselves. So if you feel like you are zombie scrolling too much, or when the next world event upsets you and you feel like doom scrolling, try these suggestions from Harmony to cut down on screen time:

  • Doing activities that don’t require a phone
  • Putting the phone away while around others
  • Using the “Do not disturb” feature

Early studies are showing that even a small reduction has shown benefits in respondents’ mental health. So for 2024, try some of these suggestions, and maybe you will end up less anxious in a turbulent world.

El Niño is officially back. What will that mean?

El Niño describes a phenomenon in which eastern Pacific waters are warmer than average. It has wide-ranging impacts across the world, and it has started.

It may not be obvious why weather patterns in the Pacific should impact us here on the coast of the Atlantic. But years of data show a consistent relationship that Floridians should be aware of.

For June, the average temperature along the eastern Pacific has risen to an average of 0.8C above normal; this is a relatively quick change from the La Niña conditions that were dominant for the past few years, which coincides with very active tropical storm seasons. Whereas, El Niño is expected to deter the formation of Atlantic tropical storms.

So why is that?

Traditionally, the very warm waters off the western Pacific, near the Philippines, are where the water vapor rises, then falls on the eastern Pacific. This was first identified by Gilbert Walker in 1904.

When El Niño happens, the Pacific waters off South America are warmer than average. This causes stronger rising air, which inverts the typical trade-wind patterns in the Pacific.

This new center of air rising on the eastern portions of the Pacific means that air will fall down from high in the atmosphere near the western U.S., and the tropic Atlantic waters.

One early indication of this is that it is drier than normal in Canada, where the wildfires have been flaring up. The warm air that rises falls down near western Canada, causing warmer temperatures there. El Niño is also contributing to this due to a lower jet stream, and it’s causing more storms to travel along the southern states. This impacts Florida, and we will likely see above-average rainfall near us. This will also mean drier conditions in the states along the Great Lakes.

 

The return of the flamingos

When folks visit South Florida, they expect to see flamingos. You see them in zoos, as well as other popular tourist attractions. Yet the local wild flamingos in Florida were wiped out by excessive hunting for their bright pink and crimson plumages, and by the 1990s, many believed them to be extinct in the Florida wild.

Either from birds escaping from captivity, or by flowing in from nearby Caribbean islands, the Florida flamingo population began a slow recovery. By 2014, there was a population of 147 flamingos in the STA2 water treatment facility in the Everglades just north and west of Parkland.

In a 2021 survey by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, up to 1,000 birds are estimated to be in Florida. Near Parkland, the local population typically visits the area in the spring, and most leave for an undisclosed location later in the year. Researchers are still studying their behavior to understand their travel patterns or whether they are local all year round, along with working to classify them as “threatened” to qualify for stronger protection.

The American flamingo is one of the largest flamingo species, and it can grow up to 57 inches, which makes them hard to study. Frank Ridgley, a wildlife veterinarian and researcher at the Zoo Miami, is quoted as saying in an interview with the Audubon Society, “There’s a reason why no one’s studied adult flamingos before. They just fly off.” One flamingo in the Keys was successfully tagged and tracked in 2018, and it was found to have joined a local flock and stayed in Florida.

Researchers have also been observing the wild flamingos, to learn what they are doing in the area. “We noticed a lot of courtship behavior,” Ridgley says. “All seemed to be pair bonded and stayed close together.” Flamingoes are believed to mate for life, and they stay close together.

The STA2 water treatment area access is restricted, so bird watchers are asked to join a tour approved by the water district.

Hopefully with continual recovery of the flamingos in the nearby Everglades, local residents can get a peek at the wondrous birds in the wild, not just at zoos or in reruns of “Miami Vice.”

Delicious Dining – Coffee or tea, anyone?

Our local guide to some of the best specialty foods in our area

Coffee is clearly one of the world’s most popular drinks. A fresh cup is often just what we need to start the day. It wakes us up, gives us that extra jolt we may need in the afternoon, or simply provides a perfect excuse to meet a friend for a latte.

Whether you need a quick morning pick-me-up or a relaxing afternoon cup of tea, here’s where to go for delicious cappuccino, espresso, and more in Parkland or Coral Springs. 

Carmela Coffee Company

7967 N. University Drive, Parkland

Carmela is a coffee/wine bar dedicated to providing you with quality drinks curated in its own family-trade farms. It offers a wholesome, trendy menu including an array of avocado toasts, flatbreads, salads, and sandwiches. 

The Little Coffee Shoppe

10732 Wiles Road, Coral Springs

The Little Coffee Shoppe is a unique spot in west Coral Springs with an eccentric ambiance and a cozy, relaxed vibe. Its wide array of breakfast and lunch options are a perfect match for its many types of coffees, teas, juices, and blended drinks.

Lady and the Mug

3111 N. University Drive, Coral Springs

With a beautiful atmosphere and welcoming environment, Lady and the Mug offers plenty of options of both tea and coffee as well as delicious desserts and savory foods, including vegan and gluten-free options.

 

Fyr & Ice Asian Fusion and Drinks

10371 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs

Boba tea is a drink that includes tapioca or fruit-flavored pearls. Fyr & Ice in Coral Springs offers various flavors of boba milk tea and flavor fruit tea. The Asian restaurant is also known for its modern interpretation of classic dishes and its insistence on only using high-quality, fresh ingredients.

Surprising coffee fact that will perk you up:

Cream makes your coffee stay warm. If you prefer to keep your coffee as hot as possible for a longer time, try adding some cream into your drink. This will make your coffee stay warm for 20% longer.

When brewing coffee at home, save your leftover beans for a do-it-yourself scrub. Coffee grounds are physical exfoliators that can lift off dead skin cells, making skin feel smooth and look brighter.

If you would like your eatery to be featured in “Delicious Dining,” please email EricaLeigh2020@gmail.com.

… That our flag was still there

This July 4th we will be celebrating our nation’s birthday with gatherings, fireworks, and singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The good ole red, white, and blue are the colors that the Founding Fathers chose to represent our values. According to Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, the color white stood for purity and innocence; the color red represents hardiness and valor; while blue stood for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

These values unified the 13 original colonies into declaring their independence from the British monarchy and victory in the War of Independence, and the continual growth and success for the past 246 years.

All of us have faced stress in recent years, some more than others. Many are still facing the challenges of caring for loved ones, the increased cost of living, rollercoaster investment portfolios, and anxiety for the future.

So this year, it is even more important to not forget that we, the people of the United States, are founded on perseverance and hardiness. This community has joined to hold each other after facing the evil of the MSD shooting. We have stood together with each other throughout the past couple of years of the pandemic’s ups and downs. We have lent a helping hand to each other when times were tough.

So when we sing “Gave proof through the night, That our flag was still there,” reflect on the resilience of our community. Quoting a former president, “The colors of our flag signify the qualities of the human spirit we Americans cherish.” So we should have faith that our common values, symbolized by the flag, will unite us and persevere through the tough times.

Loving life at Loxahatchee wildlife refuge

Where can you find 250 species of birds, 60 species of reptiles and amphibians, 40 species of butterflies, many types of mammals, a ring of levees in an extensive dike system, an assortment of wet prairies and sawgrass ridges, and a 400-acre cypress swamp?

That would be at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, a huge, biodiverse, forested cypress swamp community at the northernmost part of the Florida Everglades. The refuge contains 226 square miles of everglade ecosystems. Loxahatchee is one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the country, with more than 145,000 acres of land, and is one of three water conservation areas in South Florida.

The headquarters area, accessed from Lee Road in western Boynton Beach, contains the visitor center, the boardwalk trail, observation platforms, boat launches, levees, and more. This beautiful wildlife refuge also is adjacent to Parkland on the southern end. Some people go biking, to fish, or to boat. I recently went there to bird-watch, hike, and look for alligators with relatives visiting from the north.

Behind the Visitors Center is the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk, a half-mile trail through the natural cypress forest. The cypress swamp features pond cypress trees with peculiar-looking “knees,” at ground level, that I’d never seen anywhere else, along with lichens, ferns, and all kinds of wildlife.

We started our visit to Loxahatchee on the boardwalk trail, and my group was impressed with the beautiful nature all around us. Many of the trees had silvery-gray Spanish moss hanging high from their branches. Some of it had landed on the boardwalk, and we got to pick it up and explore it closely, a rare thrill for my aunt from Maine.

After doing the boardwalk trail, we drove over to the Marsh Trail, which has its own parking lot.  The trail is about 0.9 miles in length, and it follows a square path. We set out to walk along it and take in the peaceful setting. Just as we reached an observation tower about halfway along the trail and started to climb its steps, the sky opened up and rain drizzled down, followed by a quick downpour. It was lucky timing for us, as we stayed dry under the wooden roof of the tower. We watched as two separate groups of people made a quick dash from other parts of the trail to take cover with us. We all enjoyed looking out over the bucolic vista in the rain.

Just as quickly as it started, the rainstorm stopped, and we climbed down the steps to continue on our little hike. After finishing that part of the refuge, we headed over to the final stage of our outing: to climb up on a levee and walk along the trail there.

We had never been on a levee before, and we looked up the definition: “a continuous dike or ridge (as of earth) for confining the irrigation areas of land to be flooded.” There was a long, flat trail up there that was flanked by water on either side. Birds were singing all around us as we walked. We continued down the endless trail, past the canoe and kayak rentals, and enjoyed the striking views. We took photos of the landscapes and used a smartphone to identify some of the birds we saw. We watched someone fly fishing. We walked along the quiet levee until we decided to turn around to come back. The area was open, vast, and empty, and we enjoyed the solace on this nice Friday morning.

There is much more one could do at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. I’ll be going back and trying more activities there. I recommend you check it out some time.

New winter diet for the manatees

Lettuce is being stocked in the Indian River manatee buffet to feed the local population that migrates to the estuary during the colder months of the year. So far, the manatees are skipping the buffet, which does not bode well for the local manatee herd that is still weakened from 2021.

The supplemental feeding program established by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is in response to an Unusual Mortality Event that has seen 750 deaths (all causes) on the Florida Atlantic coast in the 12-month period ending in November 2021.

A healthy adult manatee is nearly 10 feet long and approximately 1,000 pounds. They require 4%-9% of their body weight (40-90 pounds) in food each day. In the wintertime, the favorite hangout for the Atlantic coast manatees is the Indian River Lagoon, which traditionally feeds the herd with the local seagrass.

According to FWC, “since 2011, persistence of algal blooms has resulted in reduced water clarity and light penetration” and a “dramatic reduction” in sunlight getting to the seagrass at the bottom of the lagoon. The seagrass “in this region and specifically in the Indian River Lagoon has declined significantly.”

Due to the shortage of their natural food, the region saw a significant number of emaciated manatees last year, and as more resources, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have been brought in to help with the response, a joint unified command team was established.

According to a press conference held on Jan. 13 by the joint unified command team, so far this year, the temperature in the area had been warm and manatees had not yet started to congregate in the Indian River Lagoon. But as January temperatures were starting to drop, more and more manatees would start to migrate to what is described as their “capital” for wintering.

What the manatees are seeing when they enter the Indian River Lagoon is not the lush seagrass fields they are hoping for, but a “desert,” according to Martina de Wit, a research scientist with FWC. This is the cause of the starvation we saw last year and may recur when more manatees show up in their wintering grounds.

The state allocated an extra $8 million recently to help alleviate the dire situation, and a feeding program was born. In captivity, manatees do eat lettuce but require “a week or so” before accepting it as food. In the wild, no observed feeding has occurred, as of the Jan. 13 press conference. But the FWC expects “some adjustment period when switching to a different diet,” and when the realization of lack of natural seagrass sets in, the FWC “expected that manatees can adapt to [lettuce] without any major issues.”

When asked by a reporter, “Why lettuce?”, and not some other natural vegetation, the FWC is concerned with introducing invasive species or extra nutrients to an already fertilizer-rich ecosystem, which is causing clarity issues in the first place. The lettuce that is not eaten is removed. Given the quantity of food required (40-90 pounds of food per adult animal), it’s difficult to harvest that amount of food. This is the reason it’s still illegal for the public to feed manatees.

Feeding manatees is meant as a short-term bridge until longer-term habitat restoration and improvement projects get traction. According to Ron Mezich, the provisioning chief, the lack of local seagrass donor beds is a major hurdle for the nursery that is planned to help regrow the seagrass that has been lost.

Meanwhile, Joint Command Rescue Chief Andy Garrett said that efforts to bring up more rescue facilities are ongoing. His team gets alerts from the public about distressed animals, and in 2021, a record 159 manatees were rescued and 115 went to the rehab facility. So far in the past month, 23 manatees have been rescued, and the facilities are near capacity. More facilities are being brought up, and Garrett encourages the public to call the hotline when they see an animal in distress.

As the temperatures cool, more of the manatees are expected to require help. Let us all hope that the wild manatees take a liking to lettuce and that the seagrass nursery flourishes in the Indian River Lagoon.

To help with both the rescue and the feeding program, you can donate to the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership or the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. It will take a significant effort to save many of the gentle giants, as the FWC works to reverse the desertification of their winter capital.

 

It’s the Year of the Tiger

In the 12-year Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Tiger starts on Feb. 1, 2022, and ends on Jan. 21, 2023. Based on the lunar calendar, the date for the Chinese New Year varies compared to the solar calendar we normally use.

As the Chinese New Year kicks off across many Asian communities, traditionally the celebration starts a week before and ends 15 days after the Chinese New Year, with a Lantern Festival on Feb. 15. The food served typically varies, depending on the region, but steamed fish, noodles, and dumplings are common.

It is believed that those born in the Year of the Tiger are competitive and like to do things “their way.” Some famous examples are Queen Elizabeth II, Bon Jovi, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Lady Gaga, to name a few.

While Tigers tend to be extremely competitive, they are also generous in helping others. If you are born in a Year of the Tiger, you are advised to wear red, as it will bring good luck in a birth-sign year.

The downside associated with the Tiger zodiac is that they tend to be stubborn, and prone to be irritable and overindulgent. So if you are lucky to be living with someone born under the sign, remember, they tend to not back down, so subtlety is required to convince them of their oversights.

The spirit of the Year of the Tiger is strength and courage, and it usually portends a year full of active energy. Hopefully, that energy will rub off on the world, as the world shakes off the effects of the last two years and looks forward to a prosperous year.

 

 

Turkey roulade – cornbread stuffing

This showstopper dish is a play on the Italian Porchetta and its a fun new way of serving turkey. This dish has become a holiday classic at my home every year, smokey flavors of bacon wrapping around the meaty turkey breast that’s filled with sweet cornbread stuffing laced with Granny Smith apple, vegetables, herbs and blue cheese.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 large turkey breast (skin on)
  • ½ cup celery (diced small)
  • ½ cup carrots (diced small)
  • 1 cup Spanish onion (diced small)
  • 1 cup of granny smith apples (diced small)
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 4 oz butter
  • 2 oz olive oil
  • 1 cup of blue cheese
  • 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp sage, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 1 ½ lbs of corn bread
  • 2 whole eggs
  • Butcher string

Preparation:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Remove skin form the breast and set aside
  • With a sharp knife, butterfly the breast
  • Lightly pound the breast with a meat mallet. Set aside
  • In a large pan ,sauté onions, carrots and celery in olive oil for 3 minutes
  • Add apples , garlic, butter and herbs and cook for 2 minutes
  • Season with salt and pepper
  • Place mixture in a large bowl, crumble the corn bread, blue cheese and mix in the eggs
  • Spread out the turkey breast and place the stuffing on top
  • Roll the breast tightly
  • Lay out the turkey skin and roll the turkey on it
  • Tie with butcher string to secure the skin
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until fully cooked
  • Remove the butchers string and slice

 

Newly Published Novelist From Margery Stoneman Douglas High School

Emily Sam, a Parkland Florida, Broward County Graduate at Margery Stoneman Douglas High School launched her first book – A Romantic Novel “Chasing Daffodils”.

We are thrilled to share the great news that her novel “Chasing Daffodils” was officially released on October 27, 2021.

Margery Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD) offered the resources, support, and encouragement for Emily to begin writing a novel, but it was years in the making. Thinking back to elementary school in Jackson New Jersey, located in beautiful Ocean County, it was in fifth grade that the seed for a future young romance novelist was planted. Daily morning writing assignments had Emily expressing her imagination through poetry and short stories. Gaining attention and praise from teachers for her natural ability to captivate readers convinced Emily that she wanted to be a writer one day.

Throughout Middle School and High School, Emily dabbled in fanfiction. Her stories gained a strong following. These stories followed a young adult romance theme. Readers enthusiastically awaited her chapter entries, and the reader reviews were very inspiring. This further encouraged Emily to pursue a writing career.

It was during her senior year at Margery Stoneman Douglas High School that the idea for “Chasing Daffodils” was born. Between her studies and color-guard, she continued writing. Emily kept at it and began writing every spare moment, which was quite difficult because she was taking college classes and working as a Nanny. Nevertheless, Emily continued to be inspired and amazingly wrote 2 to 3 chapters at a time. Life experiences and people she met along the way helped shape and inspire Emily’s characters and plot ideas.

Emily’s book is aimed towards a new-adult audience. Its main character Jade Everly is a 24-year-old aspiring actress living in New York City. While Jade attends auditions and works as a barista in Brooklyn, she begins a search for “Mr. Right”. Jade wants a meaningful relationship that she can bring to an upcoming wedding of her ex-boyfriend Noah and childhood friend Suzy. The book takes its reader through Jade’s journey, and we observe how her life evolves.

Chasing Daffodils is one of those books that is hard to put down. Emily has a real feel for characters, situations, and dialogue that keeps you hooked until the very last page. The Feedback from readers has been great.

Emily’s novel is available wherever books are sold. After you read Chasing Daffodils, tell Emily your thoughts. The contact email is: inquiry@chasingdaffodils.com or check https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KF6N7GN for the direct link.

School News – November 2021

Westglades Middle

Matthew Bianchi, Principal

Westglades Middle School is participating in the Harvest Drive to assist families with meals during Thanksgiving. This a great way for our students to experience community service and community outreach.

This year’s Westglades Harvest Drive began on Oct. 25 and runs through Nov. 15. We will be helping to feed 200 local families this year for the holidays! Our Harvest Drive Club involves approximately 75 students who work tirelessly throughout the months of October and November to market this event and to collect food. Schools simultaneously run their harvest drives and transport their items to Westglades to be sorted, counted, and distributed.

To help our mission to feed 200 local families, please send in any canned or dry goods with your child to be dropped off in their first-period class. To make it easier to donate some of the larger items, we will collect items in the morning and afternoon car lines during the week of November 1–5 on Monday through Friday. This year we are bringing back the Community Night Drop-Off Event on Nov. 15 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Pull up in our car line during that time and we will be happy to help you unload your donations!

Our school-wide fundraiser, “5 Minutes of Dough,” was held on Oct. 27. All money collected during this fundraiser is used to secure a gift card for each Harvest Drive family to be able to purchase nonperishable items to round out their holiday meal.

Please also feel free to drop off your donations at our Westglades Harvest Drive tent at the Farmers Market on Nov. 7. For more information on the Harvest Drive organization or how you can get involved, visit harvestdriveflorida.com.

 

Riverglades Elementary

Christina Chioda and Kimberly Mann

Riverglades students and staff enjoyed participating in our “No Brainer FUNdraiser” where students had the opportunity to take part in fun dress-up days as they worked to collect donations. We are so proud to announce that not only did we meet our goal, but we exceeded it! The donations collected will go toward technology, reading intervention programs, and other instructional resources. A big thank you to all who donated. Great job, Gators!

We are eager to kick off our Fall Harvest Drive where students will be able to provide families with groceries and toiletries this Thanksgiving. The Harvest Drive will run until Nov. 8.

Calling all Bingo fans! Bingo Night is back on Nov. 17. Come out for a night of fun games as you try to become a Bingo champion! More information about this can’t miss event will be coming soon.

Calling all Riverglades shoppers … the holiday shop is almost ready to open its doors! Students can shop for family and friends this holiday season as they look through a variety of cool and unique products. From jewelry to pet toys, this shop has it all! The holiday shop will run from late November through early December.

 Coral Springs Charter

Sophia Kaklias, Social Media Editor, “Paw Print”

 After a year online, raising school spirit is important. Student involvement during Spirit Week was thrilling, and so was seeing everyone’s outfits during the dress-up days. Fun senior pranks and activities led up to our Homecoming game, which we won 28-17. Following the Homecoming game was, of course, the Homecoming dance. After being at home for a year, it was a refreshing time to socialize.

From Oct. 11 to 15, DECA Week was held. This DECA Week was similar to Spirit Week, including a dream job dress-up day on Oct. 11.

Mental health is a priority here at Coral Springs Charter. During October 4–8, a Mental Health Week was practiced, including activities such as yoga, breathing exercises, and acts of kindness.

Something that goes hand in hand with mental health is peace. A pole that reads “May Peace Prevail” recently was installed in front of the school. This pole, which was given to 47 schools in Broward County, was gifted after two former students won the Peace Pole contest, and it was installed on International Peace Day. Student poems and essays were read in front of the pole on the day it made its debut.

Upcoming events include the College Tour for the junior class, which will be a great opportunity to plan futures. The sophomore College Tour will be in February. Also, the DECA Power Trip to Chicago will be held this month, which will be great for our aspiring entrepreneurs.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High

We are so excited to have all of our students back on campus, learning face-to-face again. As always, our Eagles are soaring higher than ever!

Our Culinary students, under the direction of Chef Kurth, had an opportunity to visit Keiser University in Sarasota to attend one of six Regional Workshops hosted by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation. The students rotated through cooking labs to experience a day in the life of a culinary college student. The sessions centered around Latin American tastes, textures, and flavors including Mojo Pork, Shrimp Vera Cruz, Mexican Street Corn, and more. Our Culinary students are in for a treat as they continue exploring various foods throughout the remainder of the year.

To add to our excitement, the Eagle Regiment continues to shine. They competed at the Flanagan Falcon Sound Invitational on Oct. 2 where they were named Grand Champion of the entire competition. Several additional competitions are upcoming — John I. Leonard High School in Greenacres and the Bands of America Regional Competition. We can’t wait to see (and hear) what they have in store for us!

Our Guidance Department was honored to host our parent nights in October. We welcomed all grade-level families to help ease the transition. In addition, we discussed what to expect, GPAs, graduation requirements, studying for success, college applications, and financial aid. We had a great turnout, and parents and guardians left very informed and ready for a wonderful start to the school year.

SGA and Drama students had a wonderful time hosting FALLO’WEEN, our annual event on Oct. 28. We welcomed students from the community, and as always, the costumes, decorated trunks, and activities were a success!

On the academic end, we are easing back into face-to-face learning and students are acclimating quickly. For students who need a little boost or assistance, we are offering tutoring on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2:50 to 3:50 p.m. in the Media Center. These sessions are led by our peer tutors from our Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Societies. Students can receive tutoring in all subjects on Tuesdays and mathematics on Wednesdays and Thursdays, free of charge.

Somerset Parkland Academy

Jennifer Knight, VIPP President

Beyond the STEM lessons, in-class group project learning, and the Cambridge Program curriculum, Somerset Parkland Academy (SPA) has had some recent successes in some of its extracurricular activities.

The SPA soccer team led by Coach Saeger won their first-ever game against Somerset Riverside. The speech and debate team led by Ms. Erhardt competed in their first debate competition at Dillard High School. Students Layla Moho, Karina Palskoi, and Emma Yaegar placed first in Original Oratory, and the team of Stella Luna and Brianna Alvarez finished first in Duo Interpretation.

The SPA Drama Academy led by Mr. Ramsarran has 51 members already and is eligible to be a part of the International Thespian Society. They put their acting skills to the test making an appearance at the SPA Halloween Spooktacular, and they will perform a Holiday Extravaganza in December.

The school has also started its Looping Program this year, allowing looping students the opportunity to be with the same teacher and classmates for kindergarten and first grade with Ms. Ferlazzo and then continue together for second and third grade with Mr. Sage. The Looping Program allows teachers to discover the students’ learning styles and motivators while building a level of trust over those four years.

Coming up in December, SPA will host its second annual winter event with stilt walkers, jugglers, costumed characters, Hannukah and Christmas decorations, games and activities like throwing pies at the teachers, and, of course, the photo with Santa. Don’t miss it!

Heron Heights Elementary

Lauren Generoso, PTO President

Our biggest event of the school year is back on Nov. 17 with the Heron Heights Elementary (HHE) Fitness FUNdraiser! We are so excited to have CrossFit Vice Gym of Coral Springs sponsor our event. Our amazing volunteers are working hard to plan an awesome event filled with lots of exciting surprises, prizes, and fun fitness for our Hawks as they fundraise in the weeks prior. Follow us on Instagram (@hhe_pto) and Facebook (facebook.com/hhepto.hawks) for the latest updates and how you can support HHE.

Congratulations to HHE’s teacher of the year, Mrs. Kurzenberger, and school-related employee of the year, Mrs. Diaz!

The holiday shopping season is here! Please support the HHE PTO while you shop on Amazon by adding Amazon Smile to your account. It’s free and easy! Go to smile.amazon.com/ch/47-4567225. Thank you for your support.

Picture caption: Our principal, Mrs. Weiss-Schnur, with the teacher of the year and school-related employee of the year.

Park Trails Elementary

Principal Arlene Manville

Park Trails is excited to be planning for our 20th Anniversary Celebration to take place in January. Students will be creating a time capsule, and we will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 11 to rededicate our school.

We are trying to reach out to all the fifth-grade students who graduated during the 2001-02 school year. Please have individuals contact our staff at (754) 322-7800.

Our STEAM program is well underway, and we are hoping to become a district STEAM magnet school for the 2022-23 school year. Students in grades K–5 are busy coding, learning about the engineering process, building, and designing robots and other objects in our design lab.

Our STEAM team teachers are looking for engineers to help us start a robotics club. If interested in assisting, please email Kristin.meis@browardschools.com.

Another recycling day for Coral Springs

As we strong-arm another shipping box to collapse it for recycling each week, you may be surprised that for the city of Coral Springs residences, those boxes are not being recycled.

For many years, recycling benefited our local governments’ coffers, by returning surpluses from selling our recycled material on the wholesale market back to the community.

Until a couple of years ago, our recycled waste was often transported to another country where the sorting and processing occur. According to a Yale School of Environment analysis, China’s plastic imports dropped 99% from 2018 to 2019. Overall, China used to take 60% of recycled material, until the import market was shut down by regulation. This triggered a change in the economics of recycling.

The wholesale price of recycled materials dropped while the industry adjusted. According to Dawn McCormick, from Waste Management Inc. of Florida, the average price of a bale of recycled materials dropped almost 75% in value. This resulted in local contracts for recycling starting to cost cities money to operate, versus generating a profit. Due to the changing economics, many cities in Broward stopped recycling. This included Coral Springs, which saved the taxpayers $300,000.

As the commodity prices increased recently, the cities have revisited the decision. In a recent commission vote, the city of Coral Springs, which had stopped curbside recycling, decided to restart. Which is great news to local recycling advocates.

One metric that many residents may not be aware of is the contamination rate. This is the rate at which non-recyclable waste is included in your recycling. This includes batteries that start fires (like the one in a Pembroke Pines facility), plastic films that clog up recycling sorting machines, plastic toys/furniture, clothing, and more. In Broward County, the rate is 25-40%, and the latest Coral Springs rate before the program was halted was 36.5%!

This high contamination rate is due to a phenomenon referred to as “wish-cycling.” According to McCormick, a lot of folks hope that more things can be curbside recycled, which increases the cost to process it and decreases the value. She said the mantra for successful recycling is, “When in doubt, throw it out (in the garbage).” This will ensure that we get the most out of recycling and help fund our local city programs.

So, let’s all do our part and make our local recycling programs successful. Remember to sort carefully, and decrease that contamination rate.