Category: School

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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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Somerset Parkland Academy plans a Christmas “Winter Caravan to North Pole” celebration for their students

On December 17, 2020, the Somerset Parkland Academy will host a fun and creative holiday celebration in its latest innovative solution to bring brick and mortar kids together with virtual students. From 4:30pm–8:30 pm, the school will host a drive-thru Winter Caravan to the North Pole–Covid Style.

Students and their families can attend the event from the comfort and safety of their vehicles. Each car will make their way around the school parking lot, while enjoying costumed characters and stilt-walkers parading around the caravan, a Christmas light show with celebrity DJ Cruz, games that can be played from afar, throwing pies at teacher’s faces, and food truck galore.

Somerset Parkland Academy is a first-year charter school that opened its doors during the craziest times in 2020. Right away the school was forced to start with all virtual classes from  K-6th grade. Within 2 months, the school transitioned to a hybrid model with both brick and mortar students and remote-learning virtual students.

Somerset Parkland wanted to end the year with a flair as this Winter Caravan is another creative idea to allow the virtual students to experience the same holiday event as the in-person students.

Project Coordinator:  Jennifer Knight

(305)-469-8854 or jenniferharrisknight@gmail.com

Principal: Geyler Castro

(954)-718-3391 or gcastro@somersetparklandacademy.com

 

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DECA perseveres at MSD despite COVID

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s DECA program is the fourth largest chapter in the world. With CDC safety guidelines and virtual learning set in stone for the remainder of this year, DECA has not allowed the circumstances to limit its outreach to students.

Originally, DECA stood for “Distributive Education Clubs of America,” but it is now known only as DECA, a not-for-profit student organization. Since the club is co-curricular, it only includes students enrolled in the Academy of Finance and/or the Hospitality & Tourism programs offered at MSD.

“In the spring when I was appointed to be the president of DECA, I thought I would be sitting back in the classroom,” co-President Lexie Sealy said. “I feel like I am missing out on engaging with our members. I was really looking forward to meeting the freshmen and new members face to face.” MSD’s DECA is around 700 members strong and as a result, it has become a challenge to connect the members when meetings and socials are done through a computer screen with no real interaction.  With students learning through computers and staring at screens for hours at a time, it has become hard to engage and involve members.

“It is definitely a challenge for our chapter to connect with one another on virtual platforms, especially with all the technical difficulties that come with virtual events,” co-VP of School Activities Raegan DiRenzo said. “Despite this, I feel we’ve made the best of this situation and have been able to participate in engaging officer bonding events and socials.”

As an incentive for more participation, the club introduced a Girls Who Start chapter for students interested in hearing from female entrepreneurs, along with DECA in the Middle, a program where students from Westglades Middle School could learn about business-related concepts.

“Online learning has really made it hard for us to connect with the middle school kids,” VP of Middle School Relations Ziya Kassam said. “Usually we would be able to talk to the members one on one and be there in person whenever they needed, but this year it’s hard for us to communicate efficiently.”

Typically, DECA students compete at state competition and at the International Career Development Conference, where thousands of DECA students come together to compete and develop knowledge and skills for college and careers. Since competitions will no longer be conducted the same way as years prior, resources such as “Manual Monday” and “Testing Tuesday” are available to students who would like to focus more on preparation.

“It’s important to be prepared for competition,” sophomore LJ Russinoff said.

“Our chapter offers [resources] to ensure that our members are as prepare as possible for their events.”

As a result of eLearning, the DECA officer team and advisors have found ways to collaborate and find solutions for more effective networking, learning, and bonding. Just like other clubs and extracurriculars, establishing connections has become a struggle. The DECA program at MSD has learned to combat this issue with strong teamwork and innovative alternatives.

PERSPECTIVES:
Sharon Cutler – Academy of Finance teacher and DECA advisor

“From a teacher perspective, I had to rethink my lessons and how I’m going to teach with the understanding that students are looking at a computer screen. I am used to having project based learning so having my students still work in projects and with other people is very important to me. I try to look at what I can do instead of what I can’t.”

Lexie Sealy – DECA Co-President 

“The biggest challenge is keeping members engaged through a computer screen. We have had to take all the events we do every year and figure out a way to make them virtual and engaging for members. COVID-19 has made this position much more difficult than anticipated, but it is so rewarding to hear positive feedback from the student body.”

 Jacob Foster – DECA senior who has gone to state/ICDC competition

“I have competed in state and district competitions every year, and I attended ICDC my sophomore year. Virtual competition is not ideal, but it is understandable since DECA wants to keep everyone safe. My goal this year is to work hard to win at ICDC since this will be my last chance. We have been looking forward to this competition in California since our freshman year, and everyone is hopeful that things will be better in May or April so that we will be able to travel and compete.”

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