Category: School

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Healthy habits for the new school year

It’s August, time for our kids (and teachers) to get ready to return to school. Even if your children are excited to begin school, it is typically a big adjustment for everyone. Getting back into the school routine can be difficult, especially after a relaxed summer schedule. Parents, you can assist your children and manage the increased pace by planning ahead, being realistic, and maintaining a consistent, structured schedule until school begins.

The new school year requires changes, which can be difficult for kids, especially for the younger ones. School-aged children who are sensitive or have anxiety issues or developmental delays may need more time to adjust than others. In order to alleviate discomfort and make the transitions easier, I suggest that parents talk to their children about the upcoming school year, the new teachers, and the excitement of making new friends. This type of dialogue is helpful to learn about your kids’ feelings so that you are able to understand their fears and help them move ahead in a positive, nonjudgmental way. Your reaction and response can assist your child in setting realistic goals and reducing internal concern. The conversations will open doors for future interactions.

Getting kids back on the early-morning wake-up routine can be extremely difficult, especially for teens and preteens. An idea that works well in establishing school protocol is to begin having them back into the habit of going to bed earlier and waking up earlier about a week before school starts. This slow change allows them time to adjust so that they are more comfortable and school-ready. It also helps to create a morning schedule in order to keep kids on track. Helping children by practicing the before-school behaviors of getting dressed, brushing teeth, and eating breakfast in a timely manner can help manage mornings in order to avoid stress and tempers. Establishing afternoon and evening schedules ensures that there will be time for homework, screen time, play, baths/showers, dinner, and bedtime. One of our many jobs as parents is to help our children adjust to new routines and to accept responsibility, in age-appropriate ways. A consistent bedtime routine helps to ensure a good night’s rest, which is important in having productive and happy school days.

Another great way to ensure success is to help your kids plan ahead. Encourage them to organize clothing, backpacks, and even lunch before going to bed. This way, an extra minute or two of snoozing eliminates a mad dash around the house and the chance of forgetting something important. I also strongly recommend avoiding screen time before school because it distracts kids from their routines and responsibilities. It also encourages children to stay calm and focused. Once your routine is established, you can slowly make concessions and allow some screen time. However, I would encourage you to save screen activities for after school.

Planning ahead for parents is also helpful as it encourages you to think about what meals you want to serve your family. Planning meals that are healthy and easy to prepare works because kids and families are going to be tired throughout the first few weeks back.

Establishing homework time and a designated place for kids to do their homework is also really helpful. Children thrive with structure and routine, so making sure they know what the expectations are in the afternoon is key to success. Having a set place to do homework, and knowing that they can play afterward, provides kids with the motivation to complete their work earlier in the afternoon.

Overall, it’s an exciting time of year, but also one that can be difficult to adjust to. Having a plan in place to help yourself and your family get prepared for the new school year is the key to less stress and less anxiety for all.

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The skies of December

Here are the sky highlights this month:

  • 8. Full Moon. This phase occurs at 12:09 a.m. ET. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Cold Moon because this is the time of year when the cold winter air settles in and the nights become long and dark. This moon has also been known as the Long Nights Moon and the Moon Before Yule.
  • 8. Mars at Opposition. The red planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Mars. A medium-sized telescope will allow you to see some of the dark details on the planet’s orange surface.
  • 13–14. Geminids Meteor Shower. The Geminids are the king of meteor showers. It is considered by many to be the best shower in the heavens, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which was discovered in 1982. The shower runs annually from Dec. 7 to Dec. 17. It peaks this year on the night of the 13th and the morning of the 14th. The waning gibbous moon will block many of the fainter meteors this year. But the Geminids are so numerous and bright that this should still be a good show. The best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Gemini but can appear anywhere in the sky.
  • 21. December Solstice. The December solstice occurs at 5:40 p.m. ET. The South Pole of the Earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its southernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude. This is the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • 21. Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation of 20.1 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury as it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.
  • 21–22. Ursids Meteor Shower. The Ursids is a minor meteor shower producing about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tuttle, which was first discovered in 1790. The shower runs annually from Dec. 17 to Dec. 25. It peaks this year on the night of the 21st and the morning of the 22nd. This year, the nearly new moon will leave dark skies for what should be a really good show. The best viewing will be just after midnight from a dark location far away from city lights. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Ursa Minor but can appear anywhere in the sky.
  • 23. New Moon. This phase occurs at 6:17 a.m. ET. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

If you’d like to become more involved with astronomy in South Florida and meet like-minded people, the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association (www.sfaaa.com) at Markham Park is fantastic, equipped with a state-of-the-art telescope, and the perfect way to take the next step in discovering our celestial sky. Happy exploring!

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April (meteor) shower, conjunctions, and more…

Interestingly, April begins and ends with a New Moon this year. I tell my students that “New Moon” essentially means “No Moon,” because the Moon can’t be seen at night during that phase. During a New Moon, the Moon is directly between the Sun and the Earth and is, thus, out entirely during the daytime. Of course, our calendar months are based on the cycle of the Moon’s phases. There are 12 complete lunar cycles in a solar year (along with a few extra days) and, hence, we have 12 months in a year.

This month’s challenge for beginners: finding Gemini, the Twins. First, find Orion. Next, draw a line from its super-bright star Rigel (below the famous Belt) through the bright, reddish star Betelgeuse (an equal distance above the Belt), and that line will roughly point toward Gemini.

Gemini has two bright stars, Castor and Pollux, that form the heads of the twins. Castor is whiter (think “Casper the Ghost”) and Pollux slightly more yellowish (like pollen). The Big Dipper roughly points toward Gemini as well (draw a line from the handle through the cup of the Dipper).

This month’s astrophotography challenge: See below. There is a plethora of potentially dazzling close encounters in the sky in April!

Sky highlights this month:

  • April 1. New Moon. No foolin’, this is a great time to go observing at a dark site as moonlight will not be a limiting factor.
  • April 4 — conjunction of Mars and Saturn. This should be a beautiful sight in the morning sky just before dawn for you early risers. These two planets will be very close together in the sky and of similar brightness. Venus will be nearby as well and will greatly outshine them both. Check it out!
  • April 4 — conjunction of the Pleiades and the crescent Moon. If you sleep through the morning’s conjunction, you have another chance on April 4 to witness a beautiful alignment. In the early evening sky, a thin crescent Moon will pass near the Pleiades star cluster. This promises to be absolutely gorgeous and presents a great opportunity for photographers.
  • April 16 — Full Moon. This is nicknamed the “Pink Moon” by some ancient Native American tribes for the time of year when certain pink flowers and vegetation would begin to bloom.
  • April 22 — Lyrid meteor shower. This is an average meteor shower in terms of the number of “shooting stars” you may see per hour. It is best seen in very dark skies after midnight.
  • April 29 — see Mercury! The closest planet to the Sun will reach its greatest distance (“elongation”) from the horizon this evening. Look for it around 45 minutes or so after sunset.
  • April 30 — conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. The two brightest planets (from Earth’s perspective) will cross paths in the morning skies before dawn.
  • April 30 — New Moon (again!). Perhaps you know that a second Full Moon falling in a calendar month is nicknamed a “Blue Moon” (OK, fellow nerds, I know that definition’s not quite accurate, but let’s go with it please!). In April, we have a second New Moon on the calendar. I’ve seen some refer to this as a “Black Moon.”

With all these great photography opportunities, April might be the time to dust off that DSLR or try out your cell phone camera on a steady mount. If you post any pics, be sure to tag the Parklander® and me on Instagram (@theparklander @jeterk1971) — We’d love to see your work!

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School News – March 2022

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Is it March already? We are gearing up for next year as students are in the process of selecting courses for the next school year. We also hosted our incoming ninth graders for our annual Curriculum Night and were so excited to greet our future Eagles. We are still working hard on our After School Academy tutoring sessions along with our Saturday SAT, ACT, and EOC preparation. We have been very encouraged by the weekly turnout.

Our athletics have been keeping us on the map, as our cheerleaders won the Regional Championship and placed third at States in the Small Coed Division. Go, MSD Cheer! Our Wrestling team finished the regular season with an outstanding 15-2 record and was the No. 2 public school team in the county. In addition, one of our very own competed in the first-ever sanctioned girls FHSAA district championships. Way to make history! As always, our World Guard didn’t disappoint, as they took first place at the SFWGA competition.

A big thank you to our MSD JROTC for hosting a blood drive in September that resulted in the collection of 125 units of blood. In February, we hosted another blood drive, which was a huge success.

As for Douglas Drama, our students competed at Districts, and several are moving on to States in Tampa in late March. Along with States, they are also working on the spring musical, “Something Rotten,” which takes you back to the Renaissance period where Nick Bottom tries to create the first musical but things don’t go exactly as planned. You do not want to miss this hilarious musical unfold on the stage.

Congratulations to our NHS Brain Brawl team as they won the North Area Championship. The next stop is to face the South Area champion for the County Championship. Bring home the gold!

If you had the pleasure of attending our Black History Showcase, you know why there was such an overwhelming response. “Rise Up: A Looking Glass into Black Culture” featured dances, performances, and more that showcased various cultures in the Black diaspora. “At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, we pride ourselves in fostering an inclusive environment for all our staff and students,” Coach De Carter stated. “In the month of November, we celebrate all cultures and heritages with our Multicultural show, and in the month of February, we take time to highlight the contributions and sacrifices made by African-Americans.”

Carter added, “Each February is a celebration and powerful reminder that Black history is American history. Our nation was founded on all men being created equal, and here at MSD that is what we believe! Our students worked extremely hard to provide a looking glass into Black culture during our February 4th showcase.”

Noldine Belizaire, president of the Black Student Union and co-director of the show, added, “I had many people come up to me, asking if they could participate in the show, so we opened up many opportunities for them to perform, whether it was declamations, dances, helping backstage, or hosting. The show made me realize how meaningful every performance and everyone’s participation was. We all learned how to work together despite the conflicts, to set aside our differences, and create unity between all cultures.”

A special thank you to all who participated in our Day of Service and Love on Feb. 14 to honor the memory of the 17 lives lost and those who were injured on Feb. 14, 2018. The four on-campus service projects to give back to the community were Feeding Our First Responders, Working in Marjory’s Garden, Spending a Mindful Morning with the MSD Mind-Body Club, and Campus Beautification. We were also humbled to reveal the memorial honoring the victims of the Feb. 14 tragedy as a loving tribute to our fallen Eagles.

As a reminder, school will be closed March 21-25 for Spring Break. March 17 is an early release day, and March 18 and March 28 are both teacher planning days.

 

Westglades Middle School

By Principal Matthew Bianchi

As part of our school-wide Literacy Week activities, Westglades Middle School recently had an acclaimed author visit campus. Our students cannot stop talking about their visit from New York Times best-selling author and Sunshine State Young Readers Award winner James Ponti. He visited Westglades on Feb. 2 to speak with students about his writing process and to promote his newly released book, “City Spies: Forbidden City.”

Students who purchased Ponti’s books or who earned brag tags for reading his books had the opportunity to meet the author for a book signing and question-and-answer event. Additional students attended the event in their classrooms via video conferencing. Ponti also included “confidential” information about upcoming plot elements in the “City Spies” series. His books have been flying off the media center’s shelves.

Our girls’ volleyball team again had an undefeated season and was the Division 1 champion. The team has won the division every year since volleyball returned in 2014-15 and has only lost one regular-season game in that time. They have made the semifinals every year but one. The Westglades girls are led by excellent coaches, Sharon and Kevin Golzbein. The season ended in the MSAA County Semi-finals at Pompano Beach High School against Tequesta Trace. Westglades congratulates Tequesta on its fourth straight County Volleyball Championship. Westglades girls’ athletics is in the running to win the overall sports trophy for 2021-22 because they are the MSAA District Champions in golf and soccer and made it to the Semi-finals in basketball.

We want to wish all our students a nice and restful Spring Break!  Once we return, our school will officially begin the standardized testing season.

Park Trails Elementary

By Principal Arlene Manville

Park Trails is excited to announce our STEAM Track for incoming kindergarten students. Once students register for Park Trails, they can complete the paperwork to enter the lottery for the STEAM Track. Regardless of whether they get into this program, all students at Park Trails will participate in STEAM specials, including Engineering & Robotics, Art & Design, and Multimedia & Technology.

In each of these classes, students will engage in hands-on learning and participate in engineering challenges. They will learn to design, build, and program robots. They will design objects, build them using various objects, and then design them on the computer to create a 3D image using our 3D printers.

We will host our next Open House for prospective students in early April; check our website for details.

Riverglades Elementary

By Christina Chiodo and Kimberly Mann

Spring is almost here and many things are currently blooming at Riverglades Elementary. The students have been working hard and had a blast participating in our green party as they celebrated student growth on their I-Ready assessments. We are so proud of all our Riverglades Gators!

Last month the students got the opportunity to connect and give back to the community. Kindergarten and first-grade students collected donations for the humane society, second- and third-grade students held a collection for the food banks, and fourth- and fifth-grade students collected donations for SOS Children’s Village.

We have a multitude of events going on this month beginning with spring pictures. Students can wear their favorite spring attire as pictures will take place on March 3 and 4. Spring pictures can be a great keepsake as families can look back on them and remember wonderful memories.

Want to see your teacher or principal outside of the school day? Why not pay them a visit at McTeacher’s Night at McDonald’s. On March 9, 20% percent of purchases will be donated back to our school. What a great night to grab a quick bite to eat and support your school.

In the mood for something sweet? The fifth-grade committee has organized the Cherry Smash Food Truck to make an appearance this month.

Just a reminder that March 17 is an early release day. Teacher planning will take place on both March 18 and March 28, so there will not be school for students on those dates. And Spring Break will be March 21 to March 25.

Coral Springs Charter

Spring is all competition at Coral Springs Charter School, so we’re headed into a season of hard work and outstanding performances. On top of the amazing matchups among our spring sports teams, such as baseball, softball, boys’ volleyball, and track, the academic and performance art organizations are gearing up for their competitive seasons. On March 3, the chorus will have its District competition, followed by the DECA State competition in Orlando. Later in the month, the Senior Thespians will have their State Competition in Tampa.

There is also a host of exciting fundraisers happening throughout the month of March! The sophomore class will be hosting an escape room on March 11; students can purchase tickets on MySchoolBucks for an evening of puzzling adventure. On the same night, the Drama Club will be hosting its annual Cup of Joe fundraiser, with open mic performances throughout the evening.

One of the highlights of the spring is the Cambridge trip: During Spring Break, seniors will travel to Berlin, Prague, and the Swiss Alps, experiencing the rich beauty, culture, and history of central Europe. With visits to Dachau, Neuschwanstein Castle, Potsdam, Munich, and beautiful Lucerne, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience. While we’re excited for those embarking on these wild adventures, we hope the rest of our student population has a restful Spring Break and comes back ready to take on the close of our academic year!

Eagle Ridge Elementary

By Principal Lindsey Sierra

Fourth-grade teacher Seema Naik was named Broward County Public Schools Teacher of the Year at the 2022 Caliber Awards Ceremony.

Naik started her career in education 16 years ago — first as a volunteer so she could be involved in her daughters’ education. She then applied to become a cafeteria aide and a teacher assistant before becoming a primary grade teacher.

“Anyone can take money from your hands, but not your education.” These powerful words spoken by Naik’s parents many years ago shaped her philosophy on education. Naik believes all children have the right to quality education to empower them with critical thinking skills, collaboration strategies, and self-confidence to reach their goals.

“The next generation requires teachers to foster a desire for lifelong learning because of the current technology-dominated era,” said Naik. As part of a family of musicians from India, Naik uses her passion for music to enhance her instruction to create songs and chants with lyrics that incorporate lesson content for her students.

“In my experience as a school leader, there are only a few teachers I would consider to be a pioneer. It is clear-cut in my mind that Mrs. Naik is a STEM pioneer in the education world,” said Principal Lindsey Sierra. “She has led Eagle Ridge in creating new STEM opportunities for our students.”

Heron Heights Elementary

By Lauren Generoso, PTO President

The Scholastic Book Fair is back at Heron Heights Elementary (HHE) for spring with lots of great titles to choose from! Hawks can shop in person and online from March 4 until March 11.

HHE families are invited to our Family STEM Night on Thursday, March 10. This event will be held indoors with lots of fun hands-on activities to enjoy. That evening, parents will get the opportunity to shop at the book fair with their children too. Pizza Carousel in Coral Springs will also be giving back 15% of all sales the day of the event; just mention “HHE.”

Our 2022 Virtual Adult Spring Auction kicks off on March 30 and runs online through April 6. We have lots of cool items to bid on! All funds raised will support educational programs, school events, plus classroom and playground enhancements at Heron Heights.

Want to wish your child “Happy Birthday” on the marquee at HHE? Visit the store on our website, www.hhepto.com, to purchase. The message stays on the marquee for one day, from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. A minimum of one week’s advance notice is required.

 

Coral Springs Middle

We were excited to welcome our incoming sixth-graders to the school on February 23-25. The students had a fun day with activities, presentations, and a tour of the school. We would like to remind our incoming parents about our open house on March 15 at 6 p.m.

The Debate team had a successful tournament at Marjory Stoneman Douglas last month. The students all placed and did a wonderful job. The Drama Club traveled to Orlando to compete in the State Drama Competition. Students will perform in the school’s play, “Madagascar Jr. the Musical,” on April 28 and 29. The public is welcome to attend.

The Coding/Robotics and Girls Who Code clubs are working on fun projects after school. The student government has been planning and coordinating many events at the school over the course of the year.

On Feb. 3, the SGA held its first Kids of Character Recognition Assembly by rewarding students with pizza and treats. More than 100 students were able to attend the event, an amazing job for all our student nominees.

 

Somerset Parkland Academy

By Jennifer Knight, VIPP President

Somerset Parkland Academy (SPA) opened up its second enrollment period for 2022-23 to potential students who live outside the 2.5-mile radius of the school. The lottery for this period will take place on March 7 for any available spots. SPA will have classes in all grades K–8th next year.

In February, SPA celebrated Black History Month in numerous ways and in several subjects, including history, social studies, and art. But the most exciting activity was the Living “Wax” Museum of famous African-Americans in history. Each grade was assigned a different decade, and the students chose an influential person in science, business, politics, or sports to research. They wrote several paragraphs detailing that individual’s impact on the country and then stood before their fellow classmates with props and note cards making a presentation in first person as that individual. The students took it very seriously and learned a lot about these very important people in American history.

February also saw SPA host a Love and Service Week. Our students created and dropped off numerous shoeboxes of toiletries, socks, masks, and sanitizer in the Boxes of Love project organized with the Kids Care Club. Along with other activities each day, the school honored Marjory Stoneman Douglas on Feb. 14 with maroon and gray ribbons and ended the week with a day showering love on our school resource officer. Next up in March: a book fair and Boosterthon.

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New year’s resolutions? Keep them attainable

This is the time of year when people have made their lists of goals that they hope to accomplish in the new year. New year’s resolutions tend to be glorified in today’s society, and they are usually unattainable and unrealistic goals that people set for themselves.

New year’s resolutions have become goals that people believe will dramatically change their lives for the better, although these resolutions usually do not last.

The resolutions people come up with can be life-altering changes that they give up on after a week into the new year. People look in the mirror, point out their flaws, and think that once the new year begins, those flaws will magically be resolved.

The ability to change habits and routines does not happen overnight. People set unrealistic standards for themselves that they should be a totally different person once it is the new year. This is unattainable, and people can be self-deprecating if they do not achieve their goals.

Many try to improve their lives for the better by having new year’s resolutions such as eating healthier, going to the gym, and getting straight A’s. Although these goals may be something to aspire to, they are not realistic.

I believe that new year’s resolutions should be small changes and goals that people can realistically meet. Resolutions are goals that one can achieve and be proud of. If I do not achieve my goal, I am usually disappointed. The right way to start a new year is to have resolutions that are within reach while also challenging.

I also believe that waiting until the new year to make goals for yourself is not the right way to improve yourself. If you are so determined to make changes to your life, waiting until a specific day would not make a difference. Setting goals that don’t depend on the calendar can have a better outcome.

People set the bar too high for themselves. The most realistic goals to set are ones that can be divided into small, doable tasks. It is crucial to make small, tangible goals that will lead you toward your overarching goal.

If the resolutions are realistic, there is a greater chance that one will keep them throughout the year. It is important to take time to reflect on the change one wants and what one can realistically do to achieve that change.

New year’s resolutions can have a positive impact on people’s lives if they set reachable goals for themselves and do not give up. Being harsh on yourself will only make it worse; it is possible that you may slip up on your goal, but that does not mean you give up.

Instead of making resolutions that cause stress and anxiety, make resolutions this year that will encourage self-improvement.

It is also important to congratulate yourself for what you have accomplished thus far. Each step you take to achieve your goal is something to be proud of.

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Dec 2021 School News

SCHOOL NEWS

Coral Springs Charter 

November opened with the high school theater production of “Almost, Maine,” a story about love and loss in a remote, mythical almost-town. Also from our Fine Arts department, under the direction of Mr. Cardona and Mrs. Cole, the band earned a superior rating at MPA for the second time in school history.

On Nov. 15, the Interact Club, a sign language and service club, hosted a “Day of Service” event where high school students participated in service activities and workshops in 30-minute intervals throughout the school day.

Now that field trips have returned, the emerging business leaders of DECA will be attending their annual Power Trip, this year to Chicago. “We tour the headquarters of a business and retain some insight on it,” said senior class vice president Maliha Mahmud. They will also visit a university, watch an athletic event, and visit local attractions.

The band will be headed to the Tri-State Festival at Florida State University from December 2 to 5. The Art Club and classes will have the opportunity to visit Art Basel, an international art festival in Miami, and the middle school drama program will be hosting its Winter Wonderland fundraiser on Dec. 16 and 17, which boasts a drive-through performance that’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

 

Coral Springs Middle School

We have so many wonderful things happening at Coral Springs Middle. The clubs and sports are back in full swing and the kids could not be happier to be involved. Our cross-country team performed in the finals, and Gage Heller placed second for the district. Our Coding and Robotics teachers have started a Girls That Code club and are selling Takis and snow cones after school on Tuesdays to fund their competitions. New this year is an UNO club, an amazing way for any kid to stay after school and be involved.

On Oct. 27, the school participated in a charitable “Five Minutes of Dough” to quickly collect money to benefit the Harvest Drive and supply families with grocery gift cards. Stallion Star Camp will be offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. after school, and every other Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. This camp will be for any student seeking academic assistance. We encourage our families to join the PTA and attend our monthly SAC and PTA meetings; for more information, please contact us at (754) 322-3000.

Lastly, if you have not dropped off your child on a Friday morning, you are missing our “FAN” Fridays. Ask your kids about our amazing drumline!

Park Trails Elementary

Principal Arlene Manville

Park Trails celebrated National STEAM Day during the week of Nov. 8. Striving to expand our STEAM program, we are enhancing our study of the arts with our Meet the Master program, as children learn about and create art in the style of famous artists. We will be showcasing our STEAM projects for parents later in the year at a family event.

Our chorus students are eagerly preparing for our Winter Concert, and students will be performing on various band instruments as well.

We are looking forward to our Re-Dedication Ceremony in January as we celebrate 20 years serving the Parkland community. We are trying to locate students who were in our first fifth-grade class for the 2001-2002 school year. If you know of someone who was part of that class, please have them call Park Trails at (754) 322-7800.

Riverglades Elementary

Christina Chioda and Kimberly Mann

As we get ready to head into the new year, we can’t believe how fast 2021 has gone by! Riverglades students have enjoyed raising money during our No Brainer FUNraiser; they loved getting spooky at our first-ever Boo Bash; and they participated in various class projects and celebrations. It has been a fantastic fall!

We were glad to see so many shoppers at our recent book fair. Riverglades students enjoyed looking through the wide variety of books that our book fair had to offer this year! It was an incredible event filled with books, shopping, and endless smiles.

In December, Riverglades students have the opportunity to bring in toys as we kick off our annual Toy Drive. Students can give back to others by bringing in toys and other items this holiday season. More information is coming soon.

Riverglades would like to wish everyone a happy and safe winter break. We hope that you enjoy this time off with your family and friends. We wish you the happiest of holidays and look forward to seeing you in 2022!

Westglades Middle School

Matthew Bianchi, Principal

Westglades has had an amazing first half of the school year! The school always emphasizes student achievement and academics, but it also fosters many extracurricular activities to ensure our students grow socially and emotionally.

Our band and orchestra are ready to perform their second concerts of the year and will be marching in the Coral Springs Holiday Parade on Dec. 15. Our cross county, golf, and soccer teams finished their seasons, and the girls golf team and girls soccer team both won the District Championships! This is an amazing accomplishment for our athletes, the school, and our athletic program.

Our Harvest Drive program has done an outstanding job this year supporting families with an amazing Thanksgiving dinner; thanks, everyone. The Westglades Wolves are looking forward to having their first school dance of the year, themed “Wolves in Toyland,” which will be held on Dec. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be music, dancing, food, and games. We will also be collecting toys for Toys for Tots to help those less fortunate in the community for the holidays.

 

We wish everyone an amazing holiday season and a happy New Year.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

On the academic front, we are continuing our college visits, our monthly debate tournaments, and our Saturday SAT/ACT preparation. We also recently began our AAA: After-School Academic Academy, which is daily, after-school tutoring for assistance with topics covered on the EOC and FSA. Mondays include U.S. history; Tuesdays, algebra and geometry; Wednesdays, writing and reading, and Thursdays, biology. Students are eager for the opportunity to receive the academic tune-up.

As usual, our clubs and activities have also been busy. Our SGA and drama students hosted “Fall-O-Ween,” our annual Trunk-or-Treat, and had more than 400 people in attendance. Students of all ages were able to play games, visit the petting zoo, and, of course, trick-or-treat from trunks decorated in everything from sports to movie themes, to ghosts and goblins. Our drama students also performed “Puffs,” a fast-moving comedy about a certain school of magic, student directed by Lexi Schwartzberg, and Theater Director Mrs. Herzfeld.

Our JROTC Raiders came in second place at their District Meet. Our athletic teams are proving that we shine both in and out of the classroom.

There are so many perks to returning face-to-face, and Mrs. Kefford was excited to resume a few traditions of her own. She hosts monthly events with the staff and students that everyone looks forward to. Mid-week Muffins with Michelle is an opportunity for the staff to reconnect with one another. She also hosts Kefford’s Kitchen, an opportunity for students to enjoy a catered lunch and discuss concerns and feedback. We love food and feedback!

The Eagles are staying busy with academics at the forefront while keeping everyone entertained with amazing extracurricular activities. Keep soaring, Eagles!

Somerset Parkland Academy

Jennifer Knight, VIPP President 

The first annual Somerset Halloween Spooktacular was held on Oct. 29 with 1,000 students and parents attending the inside/outside event. In the backfield area, the elementary school kids took pictures in the Charlie Brown–themed Great Pumpkin Patch, rode ponies, and interacted with goats, chickens, pigs, and ducks in the petting zoo. The kids also sauntered through the trick-or-treat and games area with themed tents.

Inside the school, middle-schoolers (and any brave elementary kids) had a chance to experience an elaborate and scary Haunted School with nine rooms where giant spiders had taken over school administration; there was graveyard recess and skeleton detention, a spooky FSA testing area, a cafeteria of disgusting treats, the Teacher’s Lounge Asylum, a mad scientist STEM lab, the Drama Academy’s Killer Klowns production, and the SPA locker room with a crazed coach. Scary stuff!

Coming up on Dec. 14, the SPA Winter Caravan is going to expand for year two by adding live performances of SPA kids throughout the caravan. The theme will be “Lights, Camera, Snow … It’s Time for the Show!” The VIPP plans on creating a show with the kids, not just for the kids.

 

Heron Heights Elementary

Lauren Generoso, PTO President 

With the giving season upon us, many people are looking to give back to their local community. Our PTO is teaming up with each class at Heron Heights Elementary to sponsor holiday gifts for every child and their home at SOS Children’s Villages Florida in Coconut Creek.

SOS Children’s Villages Florida opened in 1993 to care for abused children or those suffering from forms of neglect in South Florida. SOS is home to up to 72 foster children from birth to age 18. At SOS, special emphasis is placed on keeping biological siblings together to lessen their trauma while separated from their families.

We are very excited to help spread some cheer as the holidays come near!  #hhecares

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Oct 2021 School News

 

Eagle Ridge Elementary

Principal Lindsey Sierra

The Eagle Engineers came out at the top and won first place in all Broward County Elementary Schools!

Some of our students took part in summer STEM+CS challenges, which had the following focus: “Conserve and sustainably use in the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.”

Fiona Jose participated in an individual county-wide challenge, where she created a brochure or infographic explaining what we know about conserving the oceans and marine life and how people can help in the efforts. She received an achievement certificate from the STEM+CS department.

Eagle engineers Erica Faucher, Arianna Huriash, and Carolyn Zheng took part in the summer Minecraft challenge about “Life Under the Ocean.” They did research on Florida sea turtles, on what challenges they have, and on what can be done to protect them. Along with their research, the students brainstormed different ideas, planned, and built a Minecraft world for this challenge.

In another online Roboduel national competition by Robotify, grade 5-12 students competed against each other in coding. Again, our Eagles have outshone in this competition. Rahee Patel, Samanyu Mahajan, Arianna Huriash, and Isla El Chantiry all placed in top 20 teams in the Regional competition and qualified for the Nationals.

These students met with their teams during the summer on a regular basis and discussed their goals and progress. We are beyond proud and thrilled with their accomplishments with Mrs. Naik. We are privileged to watch our Eagles soar! 

 

Heron Heights Elementary

Lauren Generoso , HHE PTO President 

Hawks go pink! 

Join the Heron Heights Elementary parent-teacher organization as we go pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and kick off our first service project of the year! Our Hawks will be making cards with words of comfort and encouragement for those battling breast cancer.

To raise awareness, we will be selling pink spirit shirts and scrunchies for both children and adults. For every shirt and scrunchie sold through October, we will be donating $1 to “Not My Daughter… find a cure now!” To purchase, please visit our website, www.hhepto.com.

Together, we can help the fight against breast cancer. Thank you for your support!

Riverglades Elementary

Christina Chioda and Kimberly Mann

Riverglades Elementary is excited to welcome everyone “back on track” this 2021-2022 school year! Get ready for a slightly spooky October, as we are excited to announce that we will be having our first annual “Trunk or Treat” event. Not only will there be an opportunity for treats, but there will be an opportunity for books too! Students can get treats and books as our Trunk or Treat event will coincide with our Fall Bookfair. It’s an occasion not to be missed! Start brainstorming costume ideas, as more details will be coming soon.

Want to celebrate a birthday in style and see your child’s name in lights? Why not purchase a “Happy Birthday” banner to be displayed on the marquee at the front of the school? To find out more, go to the store section of the school’s PTA website (riverglades.memberhub.com). While you’re there, don’t forget to join the PTA or purchase other amazing items such as our discount card and/or family banner.

We hope you are excited for all the fun events that Riverglades has in store for this year!

 

Park Trails Elementary

Principal Arlene Manville

We were very excited to kick off the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year at Park Trails. This is a thrilling year for us — not only are we transitioning to become a STEAM school featuring a Robotics and Engineering Lab, a Makers Space Design Lab, and a multimedia program that will engage all of our students in coding and programming, but this year also marks our 20th year serving the Parkland community.

We will be hosting a rededication ceremony in January and will be sharing more details later in the year. There are some exciting things happening at Park Trails this year! Check out all the events we have planned by visiting the school’s website and the PTA’s website.

 

Somerset Parkland Academy

Jennifer Knight, VIPP President

Giddy up — the Somerset Parkland Cowboys ride into their second year. 

In year 2, Somerset Parkland Academy continues where it left off last year by trying to give the kids a sense of normalcy and by providing the best in-person learning experience possible. The school has added more than 300 additional students as the middle school now includes seventh grade, and it will expand to eighth grade next year.

The VIPP Parent Group has continued to create projects and volunteer opportunities while growing its active membership base to 140 members. VIPP hosted a kid meetup at Urban Air Adventure Park for new students to meet existing students before school started.

For the new kindergarten students, the VIPP and Principal Castro started “Operation Kinder Loving Care,” allowing parent volunteers to come into the school to assist with arrival, dismissal, and lunchtime, so the little ones have less anxiety during this big transition. The kids and parents have loved it!

The school will have a “Hispanic Heritage – Taste of Countries” event on Oct. 19 to let students experience the food, music, and décor of countries in Central and South America. On Oct. 29, VIPP is planning the Somerset Spooktacular with costumes, candy, and Halloween scares. Finally, the school will honor its volunteers by hosting a “Parent Night Out” event followed by a kid meetup ice-skating event at the Panther Den.

If you would like to sponsor or get involved, we’d love to get you plugged in. Stay tuned for information on our signature winter event!

Westglades Middle

Principal Matthew Bianchi

Stay connected to Westglades!

 

Westglades Middle School has so many ways for parents to stay connected and in the know. Please follow us on our social media accounts and visit our website to find up-to-date information on everything going on at Westglades.

Here is our program spotlight:

Westglades Middle School has several amazing programs and opportunities for our students. This month we wanted to highlight our band program. The school boasts a comprehensive band program, offering Beginning Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Honors credit, Marching Wolves, and soon a Jazz Band.

The band has been invited to perform at Disney World and Universal Studios. Both the Concert and Symphonic bands have earned All Superior ratings at Music Performance Assessments. In 2019, Westglades Bands had 26 students placed in the Broward All-County Band, more than any other school. During 2020 e-learning, Westglades Bands placed four students into the Florida All-State Band. In Spring 2021, the band produced a Virtual Concert with the Westglades Orchestra program, which is on YouTube.

 

What’s happening at MSD high school

How exciting it was to welcome our Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) Eagles back to campus! We were strategic in ensuring that our students felt confident about the transition from online learning to face-to-face instruction. As a result, we hosted “Fly Like an Eagle,” a two-day school orientation program designed to give incoming students a jump-start on a successful high school career.

Our “Back to the Fundamentals” theme for the 2021-2022 school year has proved very successful, as we made sure to get back to the basics but also remind everyone that education is fun.

As soon as we started to get settled in, we realized that Homecoming was right around the corner. Our superhero theme didn’t dare disappoint. We kept with the tradition of hosting our Friday afternoon parade and Homecoming game, followed by the Homecoming dance on Saturday.

In addition to all of the festivities, we were honored to collaborate with the city of Parkland in recognition of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with a special presentation by our Drama Department at City Hall. Sydney Lotz and Reese Garrity conducted readings from “With Their Eyes,” a play written by high school students who witnessed the towers come down. Caroline Eaton sang the National Anthem.

With testing season approaching, we have partnered with the city of Parkland to offer SAT and ACT preparation on select Saturdays for all MSD students and Parkland residents, free of charge. We’ve already seen an amazing turnout. We are thrilled to be back and look forward to an amazing 2021-2022 school year. Stay tuned for more information on the outstanding things going on at MSD!

 

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Apprehensive about back to school? Here are some tips

Rustle up the school supplies, lunchboxes, and backpacks: It’s time to head back to school! Whether it is in a virtual environment or in-person, transitioning to a new school year can be nerve-wrecking for anybody. But for neurodiverse groups of students — kids who have autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or mental health conditions — going back to school is a huge shift in routine after a long summer break, or even after a year of showing up over Zoom. 

 

About 1 in 7 people is neurodivergent, so a lot of people with cognitive differences and unique learners have additional things that might be making them worried about starting a new school year.

As an adult on the autism spectrum, I know the fear and anxiety that comes with a new transition all too well, especially in school. No matter whether I was getting ready for first grade or my final year of law school, there was always a feeling about starting a new school year after a relaxing summer at home or following a summer internship. 

See, I thrive off of routine, as do many other autistic people, and a small change in routine can be very overwhelming. I am used to my time being scheduled a certain way, and returning to the classroom was something that was scary and exciting because there were new teachers, new expectations, and also potentially new social situations that I would find challenging. Or, for older students headed off to college, they might be grappling with newfound independence or realizing (like I did) that they didn’t know the difference between the dorm washing machine and dryer and ending up with warm, soapy clothes.

For neurodiverse students and their families who are returning to school in-person for the first time post-pandemic, it can be strange to meet teachers and classmates again after over a year apart from one another. Some may also be losing access to things that made school easier: more breaks, time at home, snuggling pets, or recordings and captions to best keep up with lessons and homework. 

To help ease some of the anxiety, here are a few tips that work well for me and other neurodiverse groups to feel grounded and successful, especially in places like school and college.

  1. Talk to the school and teachers. If you or your child has an individualized education plan or receives accommodations, you’ll want to figure out what that looks like in a post-pandemic world so the opportunities to succeed are there. Sometimes, this is also the best way to establish a predictable schedule or routine.
  2. Realize transition can be tough. You don’t have to pretend transitions are easy. For some parents, it might be the first time their child leaves home to go to school or is moving away for college. Be empathetic — parents and children alike might be a little nervous about what’s to come once the summer ends. And it’s OK to open the conversation with everyone in the family, sharing something small like “it’s OK, it’s hard for me too.” This might make everyone feel more connected, especially young people who might feel isolated or emotionally withdrawn.
  3. Make time for hobbies. This goes for the students and their parents. While homework, college applications, caregiving responsibilities, jobs, or extracurricular activities can take up a lot of time, think about what brings joy into your life. For autistic and neurodivergent people especially, our hobbies bring nearly obsessive amounts of joy and passion into our lives, so having time to spend with those interests helps us decompress (for me, that’s drawing, painting, writing, and playing video games).
  4. Make time for family and friends. Everyone needs a support network of people who love and care about you, especially if you’re feeling anxious about upcoming life changes. Family and friends are usually only a hug, phone call, or text away and can lend support. If you need more serious mental health care, there is no shame in receiving help from a professional who can give you some new coping strategies.

No matter how you feel about the new school year, or if you have other differences and challenges that make returning to school or a semblance of “normal” feel difficult, you aren’t alone. Everyone has complex feelings about beginning new chapters, but in the end, it is a journey and there are people cheering you on and in solidarity with you every step of the way. 

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Growing up with vaccines: a parents’ guide

School doors open soon, and concerned parents should be aware of vaccinations required to protect their children. A vaccination schedule begins long before a child is ready for school — as early as the newborn stage of life. 

“Newborns do not have mature immune systems, and they’re particularly susceptible to certain infections under 3 months of age,” said Matthew Penson, M.D., a pediatrician at Children’s Medical Association in Coral Springs. “During this period, they receive partial immunoglobulin immunity via breast milk, yet it’s advisable not to take a newborn into a crowded environment.”

According to Dr. Penson, appropriate immunizations are a vital component of preventive care and one of the most rewarding aspects of being a pediatrician. “We lay the groundwork to protect a child’s health in the earliest stages, so once they do begin school they’re properly immunized against infections,” he said.

Getting Ready for School 

Learning and socializing enhance growth, but this can only be accomplished in a classroom free of illness. Parents need to check off all the boxes regarding their child’s health and schedule an appointment with a pediatrician to ensure that all required vaccinations have been received. 

Because influenza viruses constantly change, and the body’s immune system becomes weaker with age, flu vaccinations are a necessity. “As children prepare for kindergarten, booster shots are required between the ages of 4 and 5 to strengthen their immune response,” Penson said. “The flu remains a leading cause of pediatric morbidity and hospitalization, and it’s highly contagious in a day-care or school setting. We recommend starting at 6 months with yearly repeat vaccinations in the fall, no later than October.”

For older children, tetanus, meningococcal meningitis, and HPV vaccines are recommended beginning at the age of 11 and up. Parents should discuss all recommended vaccines with a pediatrician and understand their importance, risks, and benefits. Pediatricians at the Children’s Medical Association care for children and young adult patients up to the age of 21.

Importance of Vaccinations

Vaccinations provide immunity before a child is exposed to other diseases. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend a vaccination schedule as early as 2 months to guard against pertussis (whooping cough), pneumococcus (meningitis/bacteremia), polio, rotavirus, and Hemophilus influenza B (epiglottis, meningitis). 

“Several boosters are required to ‘train’ the immune system to recognize and combat those potentially serious illnesses,” said Penson. He says boosters are required at 4 and 6 months, and when children are a year old, the finishing boosters are given. 

The varicella vaccine guards against chickenpox, a contagious illness that can include blisters, fatigue, and fever. It can be even life-threatening, especially in babies and older adults who have weakened immune systems. To protect against this illness, the varicella vaccine is used (two doses, at 12 to 15 months and 4 to 5 years of age).

Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) are also highly contagious. Measles is caused by a virus forming in the mucus glands of the nose and throat. It may cause a high fever, rash, runny nose, and red eyes. In some cases, diarrhea and ear infections are also possible. Very severe cases may lead to pneumonia and even brain damage. Mumps is a virus that spreads via coughing and sneezing. Its warning signs include fever, headache, muscle ache, fatigue, and loss of appetite. The MMR vaccine is given at 12 to 15 months and 4 to 5 years. During the first year, the hepatitis B vaccination is given to provide lifelong immunity. 

The COVID Factor

A decrease in COVID-19 infections is heartening, but stressing the value of vaccinations to eligible ages continues to be important. “As children return to school, we expect to see a rise in both typical childhood illness and COVID-19 infections,” commented Penson. “Severe COVID cases among children are relatively rare (compared to the elderly), but it’s important that pediatricians remain vigilant.” 

According to Penson, parents should expect to see a rising number of upper-respiratory infections, influenza, and strep pharyngitis. Differentiating common illnesses from COVID is difficult, and if parents have questions, they are encouraged to call a pediatrician immediately.

Traveling

With the return of increased domestic and international travel, proper immunizations are vital. Most destinations do not require more vaccines than typically given by a pediatrician, but there are certain locations that have more complex requirements. The travel vaccinations can be accessed by going to the Center for Disease Control’s travel website, or you can inquire about them with your pediatrician. Infants 6 through 11 should have one dose of MMR prior to traveling abroad. Some locations recommend the hepatitis A vaccine, others require malaria medication (prophylaxis), and others recommend the meningococcal vaccine.

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Here’s to a COLORFUL school year! 

A colorful back-to-school collaboration

We can’t contain our excitement, as it’s nearly time for school again! In order to get the kids as enthusiastic as we are, we decided to throw them a colorful back-to-school party. First we started with a wall sign, colorful balloons, and an amazing sweets table. 

   

The kids activity table was set up with personalized pencil cases and water bottles on top of coloring sheets serving as placemats. Next, they each were given custom T-shirts to wear as good-luck pajamas for the night before their first day. A cute tradition to start is a first day of school interview. For example, you can create your own questions or get a free printable list online. Keep it somewhere safe! It’s fun to read it again at the end of the year. 

 

The final activity was loads of fun: a school supply scavenger hunt! We hid all the essential supplies around the house with clues, and set the kids running to fill their backpacks. The kids felt so proud as they read the clues and figured out where to go next. 

   

Finally, as you prepare for their first day, be sure to send them off with four things: 

  • A good joke. Here’s a simple one:

Q. What’s the king of all school supplies?

A. The ruler!

  • A survival kit for their new teacher filled with fun treats. 
  • A sweet note to remind them how amazing and brave they are. This ruler cookie will do the trick! 
  • A giant hug.

Rachel Hunter is the owner of Celebrate You Events, offering bespoke party planning for all occasions.

She can be reached at (305) 389-0550 or CelebrateYou2020@gmail.com.

For information on any of these activities, contact the following:

  • Rachel from Celebrate You Events (IG: @celebrate.you.events) — concept creation, party styling, and activities
  • Alex from Hullaballoon (IG: @thehullaballoon) — custom balloon arch
  • Claudia from Claumellows (IG: @claumellows) — custom cookies
  • Kim and KJ from Tis the Season Favors (IG: @tistheseasonfavors) — personalized pencil cases and teacher survival kit
  • Miriam from City Girl Sweet Shop (IG: @citygirlsweetshop) — custom cake and cupcakes
  • Nicole from Luv My Creations (IG: @luvmycreations) — custom T-shirts and personalized water bottles.
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Honor with Action Coalition seeks community support on school safety

The Alyssa’s Legacy Youth in Schools Safety Alert Act, commonly called the “ALYSSA Act,” is legislation on school safety created in memory of 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff, one of 17 victims who perished during a mass shooting at Parkland’s Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. The quiet city has now been added to a growing list of other memorable mass shooting sites that include Columbine, Sandy Hook, Blacksburg, Pittsburgh, Tucson, Aurora, Las Vegas, San Bernardino, Orlando, and El Paso.

Mass shootings, homicides, suicides, and accidental shootings accounted for 43,542 gun-related deaths in 2020, but gun sales remain at an all-time high. Every day, nearly 119 people die from gun violence in this country, according to Heather Chapman, a co-founder of the grassroots organization Honor with Action Coalition. The coalition was started when a group of Moms Demand Action volunteers branched off to start their own organization. “As Moms volunteers, we were limited to the legislation we could pursue, so we started Honor with Action and now have the dual focus of school safety and gun violence prevention,” said Chapman.

The group works with local organizations and also connects with leaders from larger ones to provide opportunities and resources. The coalition also connects volunteers with local and national groups and shares educational opportunities, updates, calls to action, training, and events.

The ALYSSA Act is a two-part legislative initiative that involves the installation of silent alarm systems in elementary and secondary schools and funding for school resource officers. The panic alert system can notify emergency services, staff, and students, and it provides two-way communications about specific information in a life-threatening emergency.

“Seconds save lives, and the ALYSSA Act does just that,” said Angela Weber, Honor with Action Coalition co-founder.

Alyssa’s Law was designated HB23/SB70 and passed in the 2020 legislative session. It was sponsored by Rep. Michael Gottlieb, Rep. Dan Daley, and Sen. Lauren Book. This bill is only for the state of Florida and requires mobile panic alert systems in public and charter schools. Beginning with the 2021-22 school year, school staff are required to activate the mobile panic alert system (Alyssa’s Alert) in the event of an emergency. Alyssa’s Law was signed into law in February 2019, and similar legislation is being debated in New York, Nebraska, and Arizona.

The Honor with Action Coalition was formed less than a year ago, yet it’s made excellent progress. State-level priorities for the coalition include a notification of a “threats in schools” bill, HB951/SB1284, proposed by Rep. Daley and Sen. Shevrin Jones, which provides requirements for reporting specified threats and incidents in schools. Another piece of legislature, HB7035 by Rep. Christine Hunschofsky and Rep. Chip LaMarca, is moving through the legislative session. Additional bills include SB836/HB455 by Sen. Jones and Rep. Omari Hardy to establish an urban core crime and violence task force, while HB167/SB428 sponsored by Rep. Hunschofsky and Sen. Tina Polsky focuses on safe gun storage. On the federal level, the coalition is working to help pass the ALYSSA Act for school safety alerts, Ethan’s Law for safe firearm storage, and HR8/HR1466 requiring background checks on all gun sales and a ban on assault weapons.

Chapman had a poignant message to lawmakers: “Our country has seen staggering numbers in death tolls due to a pandemic, yet I would like to remind Congress that we have an epidemic that is uniquely American — gun violence. After the attack on the Capitol in January, I would hope lawmakers now understand the fear our children face in schools across the country,” she said. “The problems of school safety and gun violence can be significantly reduced if they would pass federal legislation to turn the corner on the intolerable numbers of dead, injured, and traumatized citizens.”

U.S. Rep. Joshua Gottheimer of New Jersey will reintroduce the ALYSSA Act to a new Congress, with the co-sponsorship of Rep. Fred Upton, Rep. Elise Stefanik, and Rep. Carlos Jimenez. According to Chapman, New Jersey elected to install a hard-wired alert system but Florida decided that a mobile phone app alert system was more practical and cost-effective.

“The app is a good solution because if a student is in between classes, on a playground, or on a soccer field, he or she has access to both receiving and sending information,” said Chapman. “School districts have the option of choosing the system that works best for them and how it will be utilized.”

Formed less than a year ago, the Honor with Action Coalition has made excellent progress. Its steering committee meets regularly, and a campaign of public education and information on contacting representatives is ready to launch, but it remains on hold until the bill is formally reintroduced. “It takes a while for the process to unfold; we’re being patient but we are moving forward,” Weber emphasized. “We’ve made corrections to the text of the bill and know the committees it will be sent to. When it’s officially filed, we’ll be ready to go.”

The local coalition continues to seek the support of lawmakers in Washington, D.C., but communicating is difficult because many legislators work remotely. Where it was once possible to speak with a legislative aide or legislative director, messages are now forwarded to a voice mailbox. “This political limbo stalls the process, but it doesn’t stall our efforts,” Weber said. “Locally, the pandemic has limited the number of events we attend, but our Facebook page is updated frequently, making it easy for people to engage in our efforts and provide opportunities for calls to action.”

The Honor with Action Coalition has united with local and national groups to promote gun safety and school safety bills at both the state and federal levels. “The goal is a focus on legislative policies that promote safe firearm ownership, school safety, and support for victims of gun violence,” said Weber.

Follow the Honor with Action Coalition on Facebook and sign up for updates and calls to action at honorwithaction.com.

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Consider the Greek way

Growing up, I often heard my mom, aunt, and older sister talk about the times they spent in their sororities. All the philanthropic events, sisterhood programs, formal and semi-formal dances: There was never a dull moment.

Between the countless leadership experiences available and lifelong friendships, why not consider joining a fraternity or sorority organization? When I started my freshman year of college, I knew I wanted to attend a university that had sorority organizations.

When I first joined my sorority, people around me would always tell me how the organization was not just four years, but it was for life. Now, a year after graduating, I can proudly say they were right.

With all the unfamiliarity that comes with starting college, having an instant connection with individuals like yourself makes the transition alot easier.

Together, you and your sorority and fraternity pledge class will learn the ins and outs of navigating college together while experiencing many firsts.

Greek life can provide many benefits for members, but a primary advantage of being in a sorority or fraternity in college is having a place to call home.

Being miles away from home, it was nice to have a support system through the good times and the bad. For example, if I did well on a test, I knew I had sisters ready to go celebrate. If I did not perform at my best, I had sisters to bring ice cream over and make me feel better.

No matter if you are in a sorority or fraternity, both organizations offer a diverse group of individuals ranging in ages 18-22.

For example, some people were religious, some people were atheists, and some people were in the organization to amp up their social lives. It really depends on the individual.

The two most popular benefits these organizations provide are
professional and social connections.

1987 University of Florida Alumna, Corinne Rosner, believes that being a sorority alumna is a great way to build up a network of professional and personal connections.

“I have had friends for life who have stood by me through it all. Even people with whom I did not stay in contact, when I ran into them/saw them we had an immediate connection and affiliation because of the sorority,” Corinne said.

According to writer Neil Kokemuller from SeattlePi, a local Seattle Newspaper, a sorority or fraternity is a social community where students engage in bonding and fun activities.

“This provides a supportive, homelike environment which helps ease
the transition into school and allows for growth and independence
during school,” Kokemuller said.

1984 Davidson College alumnae, Andy Rock, believes that being in a
fraternity opened up the world for him socially.

“Being in a fraternity allowed me to get to know interesting people from different places, and through them, we got to know the places. I felt like I was being supported through my brothers and the connections we made through the years,” Rock said.

Corinne agrees. “No matter where the person went to school or the year they went, we still have this connection,” She said.

Not only does being in a Greek organization help you socially or professionally, but it allows individuals to stay up to date with the world around them.

“It has enabled me to be in contact with people from the community and resources that otherwise I would not know about,” Rock said.

In my three and half years of being in a sorority, I never thought that it would leave such an impact on my life. Not only was I given multiple leadership experiences and memories for a lifetime, but I have made numerous connections to help me in my graduate and adult life today.

Even though I am miles away from my friends and now working on another degree, I have wonderful memories I hold so dearly.

For families deciding on college choices or if you should be a part of the Greek community at your school, think about all the added benefits and experiences coming your way.

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