BCPS Observes Day of Service and Love in Commemoration of Those Lost or Injured During the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Tragedy

 

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Throughout the week of February 8, 2021, leading up to Sunday, February 14, schools across Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) have been participating in a variety of volunteer and community service activities in remembrance of the 17 students and staff lost and those who were injured during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy on February 14, 2018.

On Friday, February 12, at 10:17 a.m., the entire District will observe a moment of reflection to honor and remember the victims.

“During the week-long commemoration, BCPS students on campuses and those learning at home will positively impact the lives of others through community service activities,” said BCPS Superintendent Robert W. Runcie. “We’re proud of the contributions our students are making within their communities and we hope to engage them and their families in shaping the lives of others as, together, we work to continue to heal from the tragedy.”

Schools are encouraged to engage students in activities and volunteer service projects, while also raising awareness about important and meaningful causes and issues. To safeguard students, employees and volunteers while serving others during the COVID-19 pandemic, the District and its community partners have developed a range of activities to be implemented while wearing masks and practicing physical distancing. With support from volunteers, BCPS students and staff will take part in activities such as landscaping gardens, school beautification, celebrating our local first responders and feeding families in need.

On Sunday, February 14, BCPS and its community partners (HandsOn Broward, City of Parkland, City of Coral Springs, Children’s Services Council of Broward County, United Way of Broward County and the Interfaith Council, among others), will attend tributes, faith-based gatherings and service events throughout the day.

 

The following information is provided to members of the media to help plan coverage on Friday, February 12.

MEDIA COVERING ACTIVITIES AT SCHOOLS MUST RSVP AT BCPS.PIO@BROWARDSCHOOLS.COM

 

  • Media will not be permitted on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School campus.

This is an emotional and difficult time for the school community. Please, be respectful and sensitive to the privacy

of students, parents and staff as they arrive or depart school and at community events leading up to February 14. Also, please refrain from flying news helicopters or drones over or near the high school during this time.

 

  • Media briefing: At approximately 9 a.m., Superintendent Runcie will attend a Day of Service and Love event at the District’s Benefits Department, which secured personal hygiene products to make bags for 1,000 students and their families to be distributed via the H.E.A.R.T. program. They have also raised $13,500 to purchase food for the District’s Food Pantry Program. The BCPS Benefits Department is located at 7770 W. Oakland Park Boulevard, Sunrise, FL 33351.

 

On Friday, February 12the following Day of Service and Love projects and activities are also available for media coverage:

 

Peters Elementary School
851 N.W. 68th Avenue, Plantation FL 33317
10:30 a.m. – noon

Messages of kindness and love will be shared through read alouds; students will write letters expressing gratitude and appreciation and will decorate mugs to be delivered to first responders at the Plantation Police Department and local hospitals thanking them for their service (mug decorating around 11 a.m.).

 

Riverside Elementary School
11450 Riverside Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33071

8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Students and staff will wear pink, red and hearts for the weekly Spirit Day. Students will plant seeds of love with seed confetti hearts that will bloom with mixed flowers in a couple of weeks. Classroom cleanups will also take place throughout the day.

 

Olsen Middle School
330 S.E. 11th Terrace, Dania Beach, FL 33004
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Students will participate in creating appreciation gifts for frontline healthcare workers and nurses at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. The goal of the project is to uplift and support hospital personnel who have given their time and dedicated their lives to helping others during the pandemic.

 

Pines Middle School
200 N.W. Douglas Road, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Honoring the heroes of Pembroke Pines. Students will create cards and drawings for local heroes. Distinguished guests from the City of Pembroke Pines and Pembroke Pines Police Department will be invited during the lunch period for presentations and recognitions.

 

Boyd H. Anderson High School
3050 N.W. 41st Street, Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33309
Time: 9:30 – 11 a.m.

Students will participate in activities on campus with the theme of love and kindness, including campus cleanup, beautification and creation of a rock garden in the courtyard and a mural depicting acts of kindness.

 

Coral Springs High School
7201 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs, FL 33065
Time: 10 a.m.

The school celebrates the unveiling of its “Removing Barriers” mural, depicting an image created by sophomore Josephine Majdoch, the winner of the school’s Removing Barriers Mural Contest.  Her piece was inspired by a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King. Following a moment of reflection at 10:17 a.m., Majdoch and commissioned muralist, Corey Burton, will discuss the piece.

 

South Broward High School
1901 N. Federal Highway, Hollywood, FL 33020
Time: 8:30 a.m.

Grab-and-Go First Responders Gratitude Breakfast with invited guests from Hollywood Police Department and Hollywood Fire Rescue.

 

As part of the week’s commemoration, schools in the J.P. Taravella Innovation Zone created a video thanking first responders for their service and dedication. View the video through this link: https://eduvision.tv/l?emetARg

 

For more information about Day of Service and Love, visit browardschools.com/serviceandlove.

 

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ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.”  

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has nearly 261,500 students and approximately 110,000 adult students in 241 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 92 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 170 different countries and 147 different languages. To connect with BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow us on Twitter @browardschools, on Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools.com and download the free BCPS mobile app

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