Category: Community

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The Value of Volunteering

In Broward County, 324 schools provide an educational setting for 271,517 students. Comprising most of the enrollment is 96,000-plus students in grades K-5 and nearly 71,000 students in high schools. From a national perspective, 3.5 million teachers in 131,000 schools teach in excess of 55 million students. Large class sizes and overworked teachers are common, but parents that volunteer are valuable assets, especially when many schools face budget cuts, staff reductions, and diminished resources.

Most schools are beneficiaries of some form of parental contributions, and their involvement—not only at the school—but also in their child’s education is a huge advantage to both.

In most cases, high student standards and test scores gauge the success of a school. Studies show that involved parents help students achieve higher grades and they concentrate more on their future educational goals. With a balance of quality teachers and parental volunteers, many schools nationwide report fewer behavioral issues and better attendance.

“Parents are the main volunteers at Forest Glen Middle School, although we do have established educational partnerships,” said Robyne Friedland, mother of two sons educated at that school. “Parents volunteer mostly for electives selected by their child, such band, chorus, or drama. They are also very involved in sports, cheerleading, PTA/SAC, student government, and the honor society.”

According to Friedland, parents of middle school children are not usually in the classroom, but they do help with teacher-run clubs and electives. “From helping to transport instruments for a performance to fundraising, parents play a big role,” she said.

At Riverglades Elementary School in Parkland, where more than 600 students are enrolled in grades pre-K through 5, volunteers assist in classrooms when requested and also serve as room moms. “Our volunteers do whatever is needed to lighten the load on the teachers,” said Pamela Ofstein, former president of the school’s PTA. “They also volunteer for school parties, help chaperone on field trips, and assist the PTA with other special events.”

Volunteers at Riverglades have the flexibility of working remotely from home. “They help with donations with Partners in Education, email local businesses and when needed, visit businesses to help promote partnerships with the school,” Ofstein said. “Volunteering doesn’t always have to be in-house, and that’s a big benefit when it comes to flexibility.” High school students may also volunteer (with approval) at middle schools and receive community service hours for their efforts.

Many teachers pay as much as $500 of their own money to cover the expense of keeping their classrooms stocked with essentials. Volunteers run time-consuming errands to purchase paper, pens, pencils, highlighters, and other needed items. “Their willingness to pitch in is definitely a big help, whether it’s going for supplies, transporting instruments to a performance, or fundraising,” Friedland said.

The contributions of volunteers are extremely valuable in many areas, and their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. “The teachers and administration truly appreciate the volunteers—as do the clubs and electives because a lot of time the effort they put in helps sustain those programs,” commented Friedland. “In appreciation of our volunteers—and the several thousand combined hours they put in—the PTA along with the administration, organizes an annual recognition breakfast.” At Riverglades, the PTA tracks volunteer hours for the year and recognizes those that have more than 200 or more hours of service.

All volunteer candidates must be approved by Broward County Public Schools. Candidates must sign up online at the Broward County School Board website and provide all information requested and agree to a criminal background check. Once administration approval is received, an ID photo badge is issued and volunteers must check in at the front office prior to receiving their assigned tasks.

Volunteering is an essential part of today’s educational environment and it can be done on a flexible schedule, regardless of task. The hours contributed benefit the school, the student, and the volunteer.

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MSD Benefit Concerts

Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland are still recovering from the horrific act of an irrational gunman who shot and killed 17 students and staff – and wounded an equal number of innocents – in a vile and violent attack Feb. 14 that shattered the joy of a Valentine’s Day and the solemnity of Ash Wednesday.

 

But those impacted by the shooting haven’t respond in kind. The spirited and courageous student body, staff and parents turned to their strong suit — visual and performing arts — to stem the drumbeat of anger and steady the will to seek vengeance for a senseless act.

 

In the short span from mid-February to the end of the school year, a barrage of volunteers worked feverishly to organize two concerts to memorialize those who died and underscore the determination of the young men and women, teachers, administrators, mothers and fathers who are leading MSD High into the future. They built their campaign around a quote from conductor and musical luminary Leonard Bernstein, who believed that music was one of the most effective means of creating understanding and peace in the world.

 

By nurturing music and arts, he said, we can actualize a world “in which the mind will have triumphed over violence.”

 

On the night of May 22, the first of two response events took place. Called “What We Play is Life,” a Jazz Night concert, took place at the Coral Springs Performing Arts Center. Joining three MSD jazz bands were three world-renowned musicians: Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, and Cuban clarinet and sax player Paquito D’Rivera.

 

On June 1, the Church by the Glades on Lakeview Drive, Coral Springs, was filled nearly to capacity for the more classical version of Jazz Night called “Our Reply.”

 

“This featured the MDS Wind Symphony, which just performed in New York at Carnegie Hall; the MSD Clarinet Choir, Brass Choir, Trombone Choir, and Color Guard,” said Luis Piccinelli, director of instrumental music at Coral Springs Middle School and one of those who helped organize the performance.

 

The show drew thunderous applause and a multitude of standing ovations as student musicians and guest performers provided what Piccinelli called “an amazing musical experience.”

 

“We hope this performance will help with healing, as well as raise money for the Alex Schachter and Gina Montalto funds, two band students we tragically lost in the shooting.” Memorial foundations have been set up for each.

 

To honor Alex, one of the opening numbers featured trombonists lined up across the entire stage. Alex’s dad, Max, was seated in the front row with other Schachter family members.

 

Later, they took to the stage and Max talked about “my little boy.” He told how his 14-year-old son loved music. “He wanted to play trombone in one class and euphonium in another.”

 

Max also recounted how he joined the band parents, and “I got to see Alex mature and grow. All his band work paid off.” Dad cried as he thought back to the terrible Valentine’s Day when “17 families descended into hell. That monster shot my son through a window.” He swore he would not halt his campaign for improved security “until all schools are safe.”

 

Before leaving the stage, he announced he was giving a $25,000 gift to his son’s scholarship fund.

 

To honor their fallen colleague, Gina Montalto, 14, the MSD Color Guard presented a feature performance of “Hallelujah” in her memory. The touching tribute ended with the girls surrounding and saluting an empty chair with a flower placed on the seat.

 

Her father, Tony, and brother, Anthony, spoke to the crowd. “As this community moves forward and heals, our families will never be the same.” He thanked the musicians and color guard members “who gave to the memorial foundation for Gina Rose Montalto.”

 

He concluded his talk by reading one of Gina’s poems, and told how happy she was to have become a member of the Eagle Regiment in 2017.

 

Taking part in the performance on the expansive stage of the church abutting the Everglades were Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist, and Anthony McGill, principal clarinetist, both from the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

The June 1 show featured a world premiere of a piece composed and dedicated to the MSD students. Called “Until Morning Come,” the composition was written by Andrew Boss, who was present in the audience. The arrangement was said to “convey a peaceful message, a homage to those who passed away and for those who live on.”

 

Other guests who came to be part of the concert were Gary Green, director of bands emeritus at the University of Miami, and Frank Ticheli and Johan de Meij, both composer/conductors.

 

Alexander Kaminsky, director of bands at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, conducted many of the musical numbers at the “Our Reply” show as well as during the “What We Play is Life” concert. “Bad things happen in this world,” he told the audience on May 22. “We have to make the world a better place, and this is going to do that.”

 

The earlier show included a prologue, with the Coral Springs Middle School jazz band performing in the courtyard while food was served to the audience from the Cheesecake Factory. Volunteer staff members provided goodly portions of sliders, salads, pot stickers, and cheesecake options. Money raised at the event benefited the MSD and Coral Springs Middle School music programs and the Alex Schachter Scholarship Fund.

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And the winner is . . .

Melody Herzfeld has known countless dramatic moments. Director of the drama department at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland since 2003, she has transformed a multitude of theatrical wannabes into stage-worthy actors brimming with confidence in their craft.

But Herzfeld faced an unspeakable, heart-pounding moment of personal drama barely four months ago when a former student armed with a rifle and bearing a thirst to kill ran into the school building. The instructor kept 65 of her charges safe in her small office for two hours while Nikolas Cruz murdered 14 young learners and three teachers, and wounded 17 more, in a senseless massacre on Valentine’s Day.

Douglas students quickly rose from the depths of their despair. Revived and revved by the rallying cry, #MSD Strong, they fought back with music and art, raised their voices against gun violence across the nation and demanded assurances of student safety – and nothing less.

MSD’s recovery reached a new plateau the night of June 10 when Herzfeld stepped onto the stage of Radio City Music Hall in New York City, just steps from Broadway, to accept a prestigious Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre Education. The honor, given by the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University, recognizes a K-12 theater educator who has made a monumental impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession.

Still, that wasn’t the evening’s main New York moment. MSD drama students surprised the crowd by singing an emotional rendition of “Seasons of Love,” from the musical Rent. Their center stage performance received a standing ovation and moved many in the audience to tears.

A first-rate break-out solo by Kali Cloughery grabbed the attention of a gallery filled mainly with Broadway, music and film performers.

Applause echoed through the storied chamber as Herzfeld stepped into the spotlight with the Tony in her hand.

“Next to the passing of my dear parents and in-laws, marrying the love of my life, and the birth of my amazing sons and reuniting with my theater students, there has never been a more defining moment of my life,” said the MSD drama instructor.

 

“As theater teachers, we teach kids by giving them space to be critiqued, yet not judged; giving them a spot in the light, yet not full stage; creating a circle of trust in which to fail; telling them long drawn-out stories so they can be better listeners and giving students simple responsibilities that are beneath them to encourage character,” she said.

 

Perhaps those comments brought special memories to Elijah Word, a young singer, dancer, and actor who was one of Herzfeld’s students at MSD. He stressed that he drew his theatrical inspiration and drive from her.

 

While at Douglas, Word said he attended a get-together for potential drama students. “We were in there one day, playing a game and getting to know each other. We all had to sing, and, after I did, the teacher came over to me and said, ‘You have to audition for the drama club.’ ”

 

Herzfeld “put me in the play, Pippin,” a show he dearly loves. “From there, I got the acting bug. Ms. Herzfeld saw that I had talent and she nurtured it. She really helped me. And she made sure I kept my grades up.”

 

Coincidentally, in early April, Word won a Carbonell – the South Florida theater community’s equivalent of a Tony – for Best Supporting Actor/Music for portraying James “Thunder” Early in the musical, Dreamgirls at the Broward Stage Door Theater. “It was so funny.” Word said, “Ms. Herzfeld was there on Carbonell Night because some MSD students were performing.”

 

Overall, Word said with a special pride, Melody Herzfeld “really deserved the Tony award.”

 

In her acceptance speech, the drama teacher shared some lessons she gave her students before the tragic event. “I remember, on Feb. 7, sharing a circle with my beloved students and encouraging them to be good to each other when times were trying, to keep the family together, accept everyone, and make a difference.”

“And I remember only a week later, on Feb. 14, a perfect day, where all these lessons in my life and in their short lives would be called upon to set into action.”

She recalled other meaningful words: “[I] stressed to them to be selective as they formulate relationships while welcoming every single side that exists in the world. And also, how to begin again.”

MSD students followed her advice. Just a week after the shooting, Herzfeld’s students performed “Shine,” an original song, at a CNN town hall meeting on gun violence.

 

In fact, since February, Stoneman Douglas students have organized a national school walkout and a march on Washington and continue to call for changes to ensure safety and security of students

As she concluded her address, the drama director said: “Thank you, Stoneman Douglas High School and my fellow Eagles. We have all known the future of the world is about collaborative creativity and here we are, the future, changed for good. MSD Strong…thank you.”

Herzfeld is the fourth person to receive the Excellence in Theatre Education Award which comes with a $10,000 prize, which goes to the Stoneman Douglas theater program.

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Handling the Fear

Walking into a store the other day I, and the woman next to me, stopped when we saw a fire truck, ambulance, and police car outside. We looked at each other and questioned whether it was safe to go inside. The conversation continued, and she told me that even though she works in a busy hospital, she never goes anywhere alone. She has her husband or grown son accompany her. The anxiety of the past year has taken its toll on her and she explained that getting her nails done by herself was a monumental step. If an adult woman struggles to go in the outside world, how do young children step inside of a school? How do we make them feel good about it?

The American Psychological Association urges parents to speak honestly with their children and to keep the level of detail age appropriate. Allow them to speak without interrupting and try to make home a haven where they can have a respite from the outside world. Following a crisis, children’s habits may change including sleep patterns, study patterns, and changes in appetite. Keeping news to a minimum and allowing children to express themselves through forms of art are some of the suggestions to help parents navigate this difficult time.

Christopher Gannon, a music teacher at Eagle Ridge Elementary and a band/color guard instructor at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, has been connecting with children at every age level during the recent crisis. “February 15th feels like it was yesterday,” Gannon said, referring to the day after the shooting. Because of his position as a music teacher, he sees children from pre-k to fifth grade and indicates that many of the children are discussing the tragedy at home.

Recently, the school had a day for children to wear orange for gun violence and Gannon remarked that an overwhelming number of children wore orange. “Maybe some parents just told their children they were wearing orange to school that day, but I think that most of the children were aware of the reason,” Gannon said. The fear, sadness, and awareness differ for each child he said, which may be due to the amount of discussion or exposure at home. “There is no right or wrong how parents handle it,” he said.

Gannon has not witnessed any major changes in his students. While it may be in the back of their minds, he feels that the children believe everyone is doing their best to protect them. One common denominator among children of all ages is their resilience, particularly among high school students. “They are driven by the right things, whatever they believe that is,” Gannon said.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas band recently gave their last performance for the year and a tribute was played for the victims. The practices were highly emotional, and, at times, students would have to leave the room to collect themselves but would then return. During one of the practices an instrument was dropped and thinking that it was a gunshot there were some screams and a moment of fear, but that the students quickly regained their calm.

Gannon, who comes from a family of musicians, is a firm believer that music has provided a form of release for them. “Being involved in any form of art allows one to creatively express themselves,” he said. Gannon offers a reminder and some reassuring words: “These kids are positive and powerful.”

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A Homeowner’s Dilemma: To Love or To List?

A home in a great location within a quality school district, friendly neighbors, and a short commute to work is utopia. But there comes a time when homeowners needs to decide when its time to love or list their home.

If you’re a homeowner that wants to move into a more upscale neighborhood, or doesn’t want to spend thousands on renovations for more space, listing is a no-brainer. If you love it, remodeling is the smartest choice. But, before knocking down any walls, first think about space requirements and the types of changes needed to make a home more livable. The end result may not be a “dream home,” but a definite step up from what you’re accustomed to. And, if space is not an issue, minor renovations work wonders.

“The urge to remodel hits about every 6 to 10 years,” said Bobbi Mechler, founder of the Mechler Group, realtors of luxury homes in Parkland and Coral Springs. “My advice is to go classic, not trendy, and to avoid bold colors. Homes with a classic look sell better than ones with a trendy, dated look.” A Homeowner’s Dilemma: To Love or To List?
It’s all about money, so the first decision is how much can be budgeted, including a few thousand dollars for any overages. A fear of blowing the budget–and work not living up to expectations–is the biggest stress factor when renovating. Am I overextended? How long will it take? Am I willing to have my home look like a war zone? Will I be happy with the outcome? If there is any anxiety at all, consider smaller projects rather than major renovations.

Remodeling costs vary depending on square footage, so it’s hard to pinpoint “average” cost, but Mechler offered this: “To do the floors, kitchen, and a bathroom on a 3,000-square-foot home is easily $20-$30,000. Smaller homes can be done for under that amount, but upgrades to larger homes can be anywhere from $150,000 to $200,000.”

Housewire Magazine reported that 40 percent home sales in the U.S. were from May through August, but South Florida isn’t on that time frame. “It’s all about locale here, so the peak selling period for condos on the beach is September and October, while inland family communities list their homes no earlier than mid-February or mid-April at the latest,” Mechler said. “Most homes won’t sell immediately, so timing can be a real balancing act.”

When listing, most realtors use marketing resources including presentations on social media and pay a fee for premium placements on Web sites such as Zillow and Realtor.com. “My responsibility is to keep clients informed and aware of what’s in the market, and what’s needed to reach their goals,” Mechler said. “Constant communications and honesty is a must.” She said many clients want to “try high” but it’s the wrong strategy. The home should be listed at the price its actually worth. According to Zillow Talk: The New Rules of Real Estate, “a house priced right sells in about half the time of one that is overpriced.”

Make no mistake, moving is hard, and renovations have its own unique set of problems. Whether you love it or list it, the bottom line is budget, comfort level, and long-term vision.

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What is Eating Our Boys?

While it is obvious that mass shootings can only be called “shootings” because they involve guns – and guns are the common factor – there is an elephant in the room of another constant aspect. The only thing these mass shootings have in common is that males, many of who are young men, mainly carry them out. It is true they all have different degrees of criminal history and/or mental health backgrounds, according to Daniel Victor, journalist for the New York Times. Victor adds that their reasons may range from revenge, personal notoriety, or a vendetta over a grievance. My question is since we recognize the obvious, how do we deal with this and move forward in the wake of the most recent tragedy in Parkland?

“It’s not that girls don’t get angry too, but “they tend to be more amenable to processing emotions and talking them through,” said Dr. Steven Stosny, PhD in Psychology Today. “This does give parents an opportunity, if astute enough, to deal with them.” What is Eating Our Boys?
Furthermore, adds Ani Smith, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, that the ways that boys act out are unique. “Boys don’t just grow up ‘angry,’ but they can become isolated and alienated over time as relationships with caregivers experience strain, challenges with peers increase, and adolescent insecurities peak.”

Dr. Stosny said it’s the testosterone factor. It should be considered in this day and age of violent video games, over-the-top violence in movies and social media, in addition to song lyrics, all of which have influences. “The testosterone surges that boys experience, blunts their fear, while it disinhibits, making them more susceptible to dangerous behaviors that both invoke and result from anger,” Stosny adds.

All of this is very concerning to me, as a mom of two boys. My boys have always been everything to me. Although they have been seemingly sweet for most of their young lives, they are teenagers now, and things are changing. Sure, all teens have attitude and try risky behaviors. Some may even be depressed or angry at times. So how do we as parents decipher when it is a problem or a true mental health emergency? My son, Jake Scott, said, “men handle their problems with violence because that is what they see.” He adds that many kids build up stress from “overloaded pressure and schedules.” Have we as parents, overloaded our kids thinking keeping them busy at every moment would be a good thing? It is a question to ponder. If Dr. Stosny believes that girls talk their problems out to solve them, then how can we do a better job in reaching boys and encouraging them to do the same? Why aren’t boys given outlets to talk their problems out? If they think it is not “acceptable” to discuss problems with other males, how do we make it acceptable? Will it be acceptable if we add more social programs for boys in schools, peer counseling, or maybe an app on the phone?

Smith stated that boys need safe outlets for managing “intense emotions.” Ideas she offers are talking to a trusted adult, playing sports, scout clubs, volunteering, and playing music. “It is important to prioritize and cultivate relationships with trusted adults (dad, uncle, mom, grandpa, teachers, coaches), as it keeps them connected to others and avoids isolation and alienation, both indicators of psychological imbalance,” Smith said.

Other ideas to explore as part of the problem in addition to what has already been mentioned, is sleep, nutrition, and exercise. It is widely known that exercise is used as a therapy for many issues. Food, and sugars in particular, can definitely play a part in causing mood swings. Furthermore, sleep studies suggest that when we operate on less than 6.5 hours of sleep, our reaction time is slowed and we may be operating as if intoxicated.

Finally, it’s clear there are a myriad of culprits to why our boys are having trouble coping in today’s world, but if we come together, we can share more ways to get involved. What will you do? Let’s make this a call to action.

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The Parkland Chamber of Commerce Marjory Stoneman Douglas Shooting

As the leading business organization in the city of Parkland, we would like to share our thoughts and feelings with our community that has been so shaken by the tragedy that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School just 6 weeks ago. Just as many families were, our board of directors was left paralyzed from the shock that something so horrific could happen in our quaint small town. As parents, this couldn’t have been closer to home. This was our home. That day, many of us stood in debilitating silence, not able to even breathe, as we waited. Those minutes of silence were deafening until we finally heard from our children inside the school. It hit us so deep in our hearts that no words can adequately describe that type of agony. Although many of us hugged our children a little tighter that night, we were left painfully aching for our seventeen neighbors who wouldn’t have the same opportunity. The outpouring messages of support from all over the nation deeply touched us. It uplifted us through our darkest, our most painful days. Words can’t express our deepest gratitude to the businesses and the families that selflessly donated or contributed to our community’s healing. To express our heartfelt appreciation, our board of directors will be making each one of those businesses Stoneman Douglas Shooting an honorary member of our chamber for the remainder of the 2018 calendar year. We will also work to highlight these businesses on our website as well as our Facebook page. We want to encourage our community to support those businesses that have generously given without asking for even a simple mention in return. That is the beauty of true giving and our community is forever grateful.

The Parkland Chamber of Commerce’s mission has always been to bring the community together through supporting local small businesses while working with our City Commission, our local PTAs and schools. So it comes as no surprise that our tight-knit business community, much like our proud students, residents and elected officials, have risen from the ashes, united together towards making an effective change. In the past year, we have seen countless catastrophes that aren’t limited to schools. They happen in our airports, our nightclubs, our places of worship and at work. It is affecting us all, in every aspect of our lives. We recognize that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. However despite that, the Parkland Chamber of Commerce stands tenaciously behind the movement of our students. We support their efforts for stricter gun control laws and we support their march to stand up for their lives and quite frankly, ours. Safety isn’t just a school issue; it’s everybody’s issue. We desperately need to move forward, both respectfully and peacefully, to prevent yet another life lost. We will not hear yet another parent’s heartbreaking cry. Furthermore, we look forward to the full transparent report and investigation yet to be revealed regarding the deficiencies of our public safety agency (BSO), our school board (BCPS), the FBI and our Department of Family and Child Services. We stand to strongly encourage an open dialog between these organizations to ensure loopholes are closed in order to avoid another potential threat in any one of our communities ever again.

The Parkland Chamber of Commerce is committed to our community and will continue to work towards providing resources to aid the recovery process of all members, students, teachers and residents of Parkland. Please look for our upcoming events, including an important Business Roundtable: Examining The Economic Impact Of The MSD Shooting, as well as a public workshop on How To Be An Effective Change Agent For Your Non-Profit.

This is not a sprint; rather it’s a marathon. Our journey will be long, but our community will stay true to the course. Although some wounds can never heal, we will find strength in one another. We continue to look for partners who can lend support, particularly during the summer months while school is out of session for our students. We are looking to foster student and civic events that will keep our healing community engaged and moving forward. We welcome all of you, our extended Parkland family, to join us, and together, we hope we can all say, #Neveragain.

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Left Without a Goodbye

was a regular day; the sun rose as usual, bringing the Florida Sunshine over Parkland. We hurried out after a quick breakfast, some of us hearing our moms calling out to finish the toast. But we needed to get to school in time, had to catch up with notes from friends for the upcoming tests. No time be tardy, dad was already in the car, waiting to drop us off at the school. Holding our backpacks and our lunch, we ran out of the door to the waiting car, never to return.

It was a day of excitement, a special day, some of us carried special tokens of friendship, balloons, chocolates, and some cards with simple message of love. It was Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, a day filled with love for family and friends, love shared, and joy doubled.

But it was not a usual day, mom and dad.
Weapons of mass destruction took over the love we were looking forward to celebrate and we were snatched away in minutes. Not knowing what was happening we huddled ourselves in silence, hoping to survive.
You know the rest: Alive and then gone in a minute.
Alas, that was the last day of our lives.

Left Without a Goodbye

March Like You Have Never Marched Before
Don’t stop Mom, Dad, relatives, and friends
We are looking down from Heaven, holding each other’s hand

March like you have never marched before.
The path is rocky, with many roadblocks
But don’t stop Mom, Dad, and students everywhere.

March like you have never marched before
We are the bright, shinning beams of Florida Sun
We are the coolness of the moon light night
We are first fragrant blossoms of Spring
We are colorful beauty of Fall
We are the first flurries of Winter
We are the seventeen brightest stars of any night
Don’t stop Mom and Dad, relatives, and all students.

March like you have never marched before
Falter not, never should there be another such tragedy.
We are the Seventeen Angels marching with you all
We are your power and determination
We are the Seventeen Lights every corner you turn or falter.

March like you have never marched before
Our dear coach, esteemed teachers, and MSD students
We all left suddenly without a goodbye or a hug
We are in the Heavenly abode, the Best of the Best
We are looking down and guiding you as you go forward
We want you to bring changes in gun laws
You are echoing our silent voices let them be heard!

March like you have never marched before
With determination to achieve the long overdue changes
Don’t stop Mom, Dad, relatives, friends, and students Nationwide
Continue to march, nothing should stop or hinder your efforts
The Nationwide Movement has started, out with the weapons
Marching you will go North, South, East, and West
Bring in Peace, Harmony, and Goodwill for all.

March like you have never marched before
Seventeen angels are holding your canopy.

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Marjorie Stoneman Douglas First Responders: Heroes Every Step of the Way

times we hear of tragic events after they happen. Here is how they begin. It all starts with dispatch, “the calm voice in the storm.”

DISPATCH

Gunshots echoed in the dispatch room. Kathy Liriano picked up the phone “Help! There is a man with a gun shooting at kids at MSD high school!” It was from a teacher who had students in her room that were injured from gunshots that were fired through the window and door of her classroom. As Liriano heard gunshots through the phone, she remained strong while attempting to calm the caller. She assured her that help was on the way and told her, “as long as I can hear you breathe, I know you are there, so it’s OK. I’m here.” Liriano is the head supervisor for the dispatch call center at the Coral Springs Police Department. She jumped on a call in order to help with the more than 1,000 calls that came flooding in on February 14. Since all 911 cell phone calls made from Parkland are directly routed to the Coral Springs Police Department, the dispatch call center had quite the task in front of them. Douglas First Responders

“911 dispatchers actually are our first responders,” Liriano said. They document all pertinent information from callers and relay that information to the officers being dispatched. They gather as much information as they can, while calming callers at the same time. First responders rely on this information in order to prevent them from entering blindly into a situation. Dispatchers are often referred to as the “ears before the eyes get there.”

POLICE

Sergeant Carla Kmiotek, head of training for the Coral Springs Police Department, was in a meeting that day when an officer charged in and proclaimed, “There’s an active shooter at Stoneman Douglas!” Sergeant Kmiotek remembers jumping up, running to her vehicle opening the door, putting on her bullet proof vest, removing her rifle from the top of her car, loading it, and speeding over to the “north side of the building” at Stoneman Douglas High School.

Kmiotek, who has a teenager herself in high school, charged into the 1200 building. She immediately encountered the carnage. Her first thoughts were “This is bad, this is really bad.” Children were strewn everywhere. Some dead. Some badly injured.

There’s an active shooter? What do you do first? Help those in need that might lose their lives or do you go after the active shooter? First responders face the challenge of saving lives or apprehending a violent killer. The challenge is real and Valentine’s Day 2018 proved just that to be the case. A total of 30 first responders from the Coral Springs Police Department were on scene that day. The main objective of the first wave was to find the suspect. Sergeant Kmiotek was in that first wave. The second wave of first responders entered the building immediately and attended to the injured. They scoured the building, performing triage on victims with the help of tourniquets, combat gauze, chest seals, and trauma dressings, which they carry on their persons.

FIRE RESCUE

Michael Moser, Division Chief for the Coral Springs Fire Department, was the first to arrive on the scene making him the Incident Post Commander. He informed dispatch where he set up the medical treatment area. Dispatch then relayed that information to the police officers so they know where to bring the injured victims. Upon arrival to the post Commander Moser decided which victims needed immediate hospital transportation. He was in charge of managing the injured. Further triage techniques were performed at his command post. This enabled him to keep victims alive and ensure that they received urgent care. He orchestrated the coming and going of emergency vehicles and decided what hospital each victim would go to.

While interviewing Chief Moser in his office he was multi tasking. He simultaneously kept an eye on his computer while answering questions. He was working diligently to arrange public safety for the March in Parkland. Some events occur without prior knowledge and some events are planned in advance. When massive amounts of people will be in attendance there is an increased need for police and fire department presence to keep the public safe and to avoid chaos.

Although all these first responder units, from Dispatch to Police and Fire Rescue, trained extensively for this type of event, nothing can ever really prepare them for the reality of an active shooter. Kathy Liriano, Sergeant Carla Kmiotek, and Division Chief Michael Moser are just three that are mentioned here, but all those that give of themselves for others are truly heroes. Most people don’t know of the efforts these true unsung heroes made on that fateful day. Fourteen victims were saved. Many more could have died if not for the quick and coordinated efforts of all the first responders.

First responders, from the beginning of a tragic event to the end, are our true unsung American heroes.

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Parkland proves it is MSD Strong

Jonathan Fields graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in 1998 and was in the process of helping to plan his 20th class reunion when tragedy struck in Parkland on February 14. Like most of the community, the nation, and the world Fields helplessly watched in pain and disbelief after hearing the news of the shooter who killed 14 students and three teachers at a place where he himself had felt safe for four years.

“This is the least I can do to give back to the community I grew up in and love so much,” said Fields, a licensed practitioner in Oriental medicine, who is offering free group acupuncture to help heal PTSD, stress, and anxiety.

Both locals and those outside of the South Florida area are pitching in by creating funds or donating to various funds that help the surviving families, including getting them to the March for our Lives that took place last month in Washington, D.C. Locally, there were similar events happening last month.

Coming from celebrities and donors around the world, millions of dollars have been raised to help victims, their families and the community. Here in Parkland and its surrounding communities of Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coconut Creek, and Boca Raton the support continues. With varied areas of expertise, area residents have found a way to volunteer, participate, donate, and help.

They sell and wear T-shirts and bracelets with slogans like “#MSD Strong” or “Enough is Enough,” “March for our Lives,” or “Never Again.” Parkland resident mortgage lender Mike Smith donated dozens of “Parkland Strong” T-shirts. Other residents walked, ran, marched, worked out, protested, laughed, and cried. They donated blood, lit candles, and helped in any way they could — to raise money, provide strength, and show support.

They created fundraising groups and events, like Kids First Politics Second and the MSD Strong 5K/10K Virtual Race. Registration for the latter is open through April 30, with 100 percent of the net proceeds being donated to several MSD Victim GoFundMe accounts, according to the event’s page at runsignup.com.

They continue to help wounded student Anthony Borges pay his hospital costs; help teacher Ivy Schamis feed Luigi, her 19-month-old therapy dog; and help alleviate travel costs for victims’ families who attended the March for our Lives in Washington, DC. MSD teachers Frank Krar and Penny Pogano are now sporting MSD Strong tattoos.

They raised money while attending dance shows at Broadway Bound; exercising at a Zumbathon (created by area Zumba teachers) at Piper High; creating art at Painting with a Twist; burning calories at Orange Theory; running with Runners Depot; and taking Pilates classes with 100 percent of the fees going to MSD Strong.

Gabe Glassman, a sophomore at MSD, can no longer attend class in the building that is now a crime scene. His parents, Aaron and Lisa, wanted to do something to help the teachers and students who have been displaced from their classrooms, so they began a drive to collect school supplies. For simplicity, Lisa asked that the supplies be sent to her home. She did not expect the amount of packages that arrived from not only around South Florida, but also from around the state, nation, and as far away as France and Switzerland. It got too big, so the Glassmans moved it to the clubhouse in their Parkland community, Cypress Head, and received help from neighbors.

“So many people came out to help,” Aaron Glassman said. “They pitched in organizing all of the school supplies into bins breaking down boxes and moving stuff over to the clubhouse.”  The couple also raised nearly $8,000 selling T-shirts and magnets.

Laura Simoncini of Laura’s Ultimate Pilates in Parkland charged $25 to participants with proceeds benefitting the families and memorial fund. She started with a moment of silence and lit 17 candles in the studio, and then sold T-shirts that say “Pilates for Change” and “MSD Strong.”

“It really hit home for me because we know so many people who were affected by this and my heart is just breaking,” said Simoncini, whose twin sons lost a friend in the shooting. “Whatever I can do. I want to do more classes to raise more. I was so glad to help in some way.”

Help came from Parkland restaurants such as Déjà Blue, which organized a White Night of Remembrance, and Pizza Time Caffe, which held a fundraiser with Alliance Corporate Contracting. Owner Mark Papaleo donated 100 percent of pizza sales to help raise funds to send Parkland families to participate in the March for our Lives last month.

In New York City, MSD alumni organized a billboard in Times Square to honor 17 victims, which was donated by a sign company for a 24-hour period.

Various religious organizations have sent counselors to help survivors cope. The State of Israel has brought specialists from the Israel Trauma Coalition.

Cathy Carter, whose son is a junior at MSD, found support from her co-workers at the Pompano Beach dental office where she works as a dental technician. Lisa and Aaron Glassman, partners in a real estate law firm, collected school supplies at Cypress Head community for teachers who have been displaced from their regular classrooms. The tireless parent volunteers, like Tammi Donato, kept on volunteering.

Even the little things, like having Donato text “How are you?” meant a lot to teacher Schamis, whose class was terrorized by the shooter. “I have been getting so many shout outs just to see if I’m OK,” Schamis said. “They’re making it more bearable than it would have been.”

Area residents honored slain students by recognizing those activities they loved the most. Martin, Peter, and Alaina were honored as members of the JROTC; Jaime for her love of dance; and Alyssa for her love of soccer.

Ryan Petty, whose 14-year-old daughter, Alaina, was killed, said in a Miami Herald video: “Please know that the incredible support is deeply appreciated and has made a lasting impact on our lives. Thank you.”

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MSDSTRONG: LEARN FROM THE NRA

It started with the incessant sounds of sirens – police cars, ambulances, emergency vehicles, fire engines – racing past the office windows. Then one of our staff received a phone call, the distraught caller informing the staffer of the shootings at Stoneman Douglas High School and asking if the staffer’s grandson was safe.

I immediately connected to the Coral Springs Police Department streaming broadcast and listened with horror and disbelief to the mostly dispassionate, professional voices of the dispatcher and police officers, talking about the still unclear situation at the high school. The only good moments were the reports of probable suspect in sight, soon followed by suspect in custody.

As the hours and day passed we, along with the nation and the world, watched the constant replays of scenes of terrified students being escorted from the school buildings, and of fearful families and friends waiting for news and to be reunited with loved ones.

The following weeks were filled with highs and lows: the inspiring, passionate, heartfelt eloquence of so many of the MSD students on and off TV, voices heard around the world; the many memorial and funeral services for the victims. Nor will we forget the debates, confrontations, marches, and protests involving students and political leaders.

And then came the reality – the politicians and their photo ops and mealy-mouthing, and worst of all, the blame game. I won’t play the blame game  –  I don’t have the facts (nor do I think does anybody else yet other than the published details of the murderer’s interactions with the school and authorities) and haven’t researched the law. But the politicians … Where to begin?

Let’s make one thing clear at the outset: We are not suggesting the repeal of the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or taking guns away from law-abiding citizens. We know that many households in Parkland own guns. We also know that there were more than 1.7 million concealed weapons permit-holders in Florida in 2017. What we are supporting is awareness of the 26th Amendment and using it to accomplish the stated goals of the SD students.

Amendment XXVI: …The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age… 

 This brings us to the NRA. “Founded to advance rifle marksmanship in 1871, the group has informed its members about firearm-related bills since 1934, and it has directly lobbied for and against legislation since 1975. It has been called “the oldest continuously operating civil liberties organization” and “one of the largest and best-funded lobbying organizations” in the United States. Observers and lawmakers see the NRA as one of the top three most influential lobbying groups in Washington, D.C. Over its history the organization has influenced legislation, participated in or initiated lawsuits, and endorsed or opposed various candidates.” (Wikipedia)

According to the NRA’s 2017 press kit, American Rifleman, its leading magazine mailed to every member, had an “audience of 5, 560,000.” The actual membership of the NRA is estimated to be about a million less. But it is the “audience,” which is much more than a million, which makes so many politicians mealy-mouthed and wary of doing what may be best for the people they supposedly represent, like banning ARs (defined by Merriam-Webster as “a gun that can shoot many bullets quickly and that is designed for use by the military”).

The strength of the NRA lies not in bankrolling candidates; in fact, since 2000, the NRA’s donations to current members of Florida’s House and Senate amount to zero.  Its strength lies in the grades it gives elected officials and candidates, ranging from A+ to F, that reflects on how their voting records, public statements, and responses to a questionnaire line up with the NRA’s own positions, including gun rights. (Governor Rick Scott, a probable candidate for U.S. Senator in November, has received an A+ rating from the NRA during all his years as governor.)

Voting bloc — a group of voters that are strongly motivated by a specific common concern or group of concerns to the point that such specific concerns tend to dominate their voting patterns, causing them to vote together in elections.

The NRA will support, by mailings, print, and digital advertisements, etc., any candidate seeking election or reelection that has an A+ rating. It also solicits its “audience” to support these people. This is single issue voting, bloc voting. Whether you love or hate the NRA, it is extremely successful at what it does. No level of outrage will come to anything if the NRA can continue to dominate gun control issues. Adopting its tactics would be good place to start.

The grassroots — the ordinary people in a society or an organization, especially a political party

In the 2016, there were 26,913,000 people aged 18-24 in the U.S. For the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, 50.85 percent registered to vote, 39.4 percent (10,603,722) voted. This is 7.76 percent of the total votes cast. I’m not smarter than you, I’m not as media aware as you, but I have lived longer and seen more, and I tell you, you must start at the grassroots! You will not change the political “bes” or “wannabes” only with protests or speeches. Instead, use your smart phones and computers. Continue to reach out to your contacts on the various social media, have them reach out to their contacts…everybody may not agree, but if you contact enough people, you will have a voting bloc.

Urge them to register to vote as early as they can. Urge them to learn the issues and the positions of the candidates on these and other issues they feel important at all levels – local, state, and federal (all too frequently, the local councilman really wants to be President of the United States). Urge them to vote in all elections, at all levels.

Low election turnouts historically favor well-organized single-issue constituencies, such as the NRA. If you support gun control, take the same cue. Turn those coveted “A” and “B” grades from the NRA into a weight around politicians’ necks, and the “F” into a badge of honor. Register to vote and then actually cast a ballot.

But this is not enough. In today’s society, one “hot” issue is soon displaced by another. To keep the issues that are today important to #MSDStrong, you must build, build, build. The NRA has been directly lobbying and influencing voters for more than 40 years. You have only been doing it for months. Yes, important battles have been won in Tallahassee: the age to buy a rifle or shotgun has been raised to 21; a three-day waiting period has been imposed on the sale of rifles and shotguns; the use, sale, or possession of bump stocks has been banned. But the bill contains a controversial provision long desired by the NRA that would allow school personnel to be armed under a voluntary program, and, most importantly, a ban on assault rifles and high capacity magazines was rejected.

Also consider, in several months, many of you will be graduating and moving on throughout the country. How will your voices be continued? Will the passion and determination you exhibit be there then? Will you be deterred or distracted by new places, commitments, friends, and duties? What will you do to continue a contest that will take years; against opponents like the NRA that immediately brought a (probably unsuccessful)  federal lawsuit against the increase in age restriction?

The NRA has great patience. A recent Monmouth University poll found that 50 percent of NRA members polled disapprove of how the grieving Parkland students have handled themselves in the media. Sixty-five percent say the students are not effective advocates, and 61 percent believe they are being manipulated by outside groups rather than expressing their own beliefs. The NRA will continue to support the politicians that vote as they believe, not just in Florida but also on all levels – local, state, and federal. Learn from them; they’ve been doing it longer, and for them, doing it right!

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Addressing Parkland

Never did I expect to be addressing a school shooting in Parkland. The City of Parkland, the City of Coral Springs, and countless communities throughout Broward were affected by the horrific and devastating tragedy that took place on 2/14/18. Together we faced an unspeakable tragedy that none of us could have ever imagined — the attack on our school where 3,300 of our children go each day to learn, better themselves, build a future, and interact with their friends and the teachers who care for them.

Our hearts are heavy, as they will be for a long time, for the families who lost a loved one. We are also heartbroken for those who were injured, the students, teachers, staff, and first responders who saw things no one should ever have to see. We also feel for those who suffered the loss of a friend, a teammate, a student, a teacher, a neighbor, a coworker. We feel for those who waited excruciating lengths of time to hear from loved ones not knowing if they were safe.

As we grieve, each of us in our own way, it is important we understand everyone grieves in different ways and in different time. We should all be understanding and respectful of the grieving of others —realizing there is no wrong way to grieve. No one should be left to feel guilty for the way they are processing this tragedy. This is not a time for judgment or critique, but a time for extending kindness and offering support. That will serve to unite us and that is how we will get through this together.

Parkland has always taken great pride in being a close-knit city of families. We see families at every event in the City, we see them biking together, we see them in the grocery store. On Wednesday, February 14, 2018 the Parkland family grew much larger. In the immediate aftermath of the events on that day and continuing now, so many people and organizations have reached out to our City with assistance and support. Many of them from distant places, but all of them reassuring us that we are not alone, that we have family all across the country.

To our immediate family — the students, faculty, and staff of Stoneman Douglas High School, the residents of Parkland, our neighbors in Coral Springs who suffered the impact just as we did — we are here for you to move forward together. To our extended family of those around the country who have offered a sympathetic hand, we welcome you and are strengthened by your compassion and the piece of our heart that you now occupy.

As the nation, and the world, has watched news coverage of our community, they have realized what a special place this is. They have seen our community rally together quickly. They have seen our strength and determination. They have seen our wonderful students speak out eloquently about the need for change so this never happens again.

We have a long and difficult road ahead. Many in our northwest Broward community are suffering and grieving. We must ensure they have the support and resources to navigate through this. Our community has always risen to the occasion to help others and I know we will be strong and help each other. Together we will get through this with our community support and the support of our extended family.

There are many names I could mention at this time. People who have been heroic, supportive, and instrumental in so many positive things that have transpired in such a short span of time. And I know they will understand if I mention only 17 names in this column.  #ParklandStrong. #MSDstrong.

Alyssa Alhadeff, Scott Beigel, Martin Duque Anguiano, Nicholas Dworet, Aaron Feis, Jaime Guttenberg, Chris Hixon, Luke Hoyer, Cara Loughran, Gina Montalto, Joaquin Oliver, Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack, Helena Ramsay, Alex Schachter, Carmen Schentrup, and Peter Wang.

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