South Florida institutions are set to observe a moment of silence on Valentine’s Day to honor the 17 lives lost during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy. In memory of the victims, NewsRadio 610 WIOD will be joining in the nationwide moment of silence at 10:17 a.m. Here are some additional special events planned to commemorate the day taking place.
At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School:
• In keeping with the District's established practice, media will not be permitted on the school’s campus.
• Students and staff will participate in service-learning activities beginning at 7:40 a.m. and will dismiss at 11:40 a.m.
• Students and staff will honor area first responders at a breakfast on-campus, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
At schools throughout the District:
• Schools will remain open and operate on normal schedules on February 14.
• The entire District will observe a moment of silence at 10:17 a.m.
• Schools are encouraged to participate in A Day of Service and Love and engage students in school-based activities that serve others within their schools or local communities. Specific activities will vary by school.
Hollywood Hills High School
5400 Stirling Road., Hollywood, FL 33021
Time: 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
• Banner signing (Start with Hello and Rachel's Challenge)
• Peace Chain (students will write messages highlighting kindness through action)
• Build a Valentine (students can create a Valentine’s card or greeting to share with a special friend/teacher/family member)
• Just Journal (writing station for students to write poetry, essays, short stories, etc., if they want to express their feelings)
Seminole Middle School
6200 SW 16th Street, Plantation, FL 33317
Time: 10 – 11 a.m.
• Unveiling unity mural, called Symphony of Brotherhood, which promotes diversity and inclusion
• Wearing red and white special t-shirts for a Day of Love to promote peace
• 17 Acts of Kindness Student Challenge
Fort Lauderdale High School
1600 NE 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305
Time: 10:10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Wearing MSD school colors and painting kindness rocks
Beachside Montessori Village
2230 Lincoln Street, Hollywood, FL 33020
Time: 8:45 – 9:10 a.m.
• Glee Club students will welcome all students and families at the start of the day with songs at the school’s entrance as they arrive
Sunrise Middle School
1750 NE 14th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Time: 12:15 – 1 p.m.
• The peer counseling students and art students will decorate a 9-by-9-foot canvas and place the canvases in a heart shape in the school’s cafeteria. The canvas will be decorated with an expression of love design. The students will also decorate paper chains and place them in the cafeteria.
Wilton Manors Elementary School
2401 NE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305
Time: 8:45 – 9:15 a.m.
• Breakfast for volunteers
At Pine Trails Park:
Beginning at 12:30 p.m., Broward County Public Schools is sponsoring a service activity at Pine Trails Park, 10559 Trails End, Parkland.
Students and staff will assemble meal kits for Feed My Starving Children, which will distribute them to malnourished children around the world. Parkland and Coral Springs are offering several events to enable the public to honor those lost
Mary Help of Christians Church in Parkland:
Beginning at 2 p.m. - Holy Hour for peace and healing
City of Coral Springs Events:
The Temple - By Artist David Best
Location: 9551 West Sample Road, Coral Springs
Times: 7 a.m. - Dusk
Coral Springs Museum of Art (CSMoA) -
Location: 2855A Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs
Times: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Will be open on February 14, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to provide a cool, safe space for students to hang out.
Activities planned include:
Relaxing Art Making ProjectsMassage Chairs FoodMini Petting ZooK-9 Love and HugsWishing TreeCurrent Vibe MusicCoral Springs Rocks – mementos to takeCommunity Canvas – painting projectCozy Lounges with Chill Décor – bean bags, pillows, etc.
Coral Springs Open Play
Location: Coral Springs Gymnasium (2501 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs)
Times: 12 - 5 p.m.
Admission: Free ($2 per person for students who do not attend MSD)
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students interested in using the Coral Springs Gymnasium for Open Play may do so from 12-5 p.m. with student identification. All other participants may participate in Open Play for a fee of $2 per person.
Sawgrass Nature Center "Green Team"
Location: Sawgrass Nature Center (Sportsplex, 3000 Sportsplex Dr., Coral Springs)
Must register in advance Spend time helping the animals at Sawgrass Nature Center! The SNC has 15 spots available to work in the afternoon with their "green Team" - which will involve gardening, pulling weeds, raking leaves, and other tasks to help keep the outdoor landscapes and animal areas looking their best. You must register in advance, dress in appropriate clothing with closed-toed shoes/sneakers, sunscreen and a hat.
Contact Heather Nelson, Volunteer Coordinator, 954-752-WLD, volunteers@sawgrassnaturecenter.org.
City of Parkland:Pine Trails Park
Location: 10559 Trails End, Parkland, FL 33076
Times: 12 - 10 p.m.
At 2:21 p.m. - the City of Parkland will honor a moment of silence at all City facilities and throughout Parkland. The City will also host a brief Interfaith ceremony for the community at 5:45 p.m. This ceremony is intended to last approximately 30 minutes. The park will be open both before and after the ceremony. Therapy dogs and counselors will be onsite throughout the day.
Around Town:Alyssa Alhadeff Beach Clean Up -
Deerfield Beach Pier at 2:00 p.m.
Congregation Kol Tikvah, located at 6750 N. University Drive, will open their doors for visitors from 12 - 5 p.m.
The City of Coconut Creek
Will plant a Tree of Life on with a short ceremony beginning at 10:00 a.m on the grounds of the Government Center (4800 West Copans Road). A moment of silence will take place at 10:17 a.m.
The City of Cooper City
Will observe a moment of silence at 10:17 a.m. Additionally, a short commemoration event will be held at Memorial Park. The City Commission will place a wreath at the MSD Memorial Brick Walk and observe a period of silence from 2:21 - 2:27 p..m.
The Town of Davie
Will host a brief ceremony in front of Town Hall and observe a District-wide moment of silence at 10:17 a.m.
The City of Deerfield Beach
Will be co-sponsoring a Day of Service Beach Clean-Up from 10:00 a.m to Noon with beach yoga at 9:00 a.m.
The Town of Hillsboro Beach
Will fly flags at half-mast and observe a moment of silence with residents.
The City of Hollywood
Will observe a moment of silence and they will lower City government flag to half-staff.
The City of Lighthouse Point
Will lower flags to half-mast from noon until sundown. They will also observe a moment of silence at 10:17 a.m.
The City of Margate
Will ring the City's Clock Tower bells in Downtown Margate. The bells will sound 17 times beginning at 2:21 p.m. followed by a moment of silence. The bells will chime 17 more times following that moment of silence.
The City of Miramar
Will host a candle light vigil at City Hall at 2:00 p.m. During the ceremony, the flags will be at half-staff and the fire bell will be tolled 17 times.
The City of North Lauderdale
Will host a low-key Wreath Laying Ceremony at 10 a.m. the North Lauderdale Memorial Garden (6101 Kimberly Blvd.)
The City of Pembroke Pines
Will host a Prayer Vigil to commemorate the one-year mark of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy at 6:30 p.m. at the Charles F. Dodge City Center (601 City Center Way.) For more information, please contact (954) 392-2116.
The City of Pompano Beach
Will observe a moment of silence at 10:17 a.m.
City of Dania Beach
At noon, a moment of silence and lowering of city government flags to half staff. City staff and residents asked to wear white and share selfies on social media with #daniabeach, #parkland, #solidarity
Miami-Dade Schools:
Entire district will be observing a moment of silence at 10:17 a.m. on February 14, 2019. Miami-Dade County Public Schools is referring to that day as "Love and Kindness Day" as part of the one-year commemoration of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy.
As part of "Love and Kindness Day", schools will be hosting numerous activities geared toward every grade level with a focus on love and kindness. Some of the activities include:
• Kindness Corner: principals are urged to create an area in their schools where teachers and staff can post positive messages about students who have demonstrated love and kindness.
• Sending Love and Kindness notes: a template has been provided to all schools, which can be printed out for students to write or draw a kind message to someone on Valentine’s Day. An example includes writing a note of appreciation to the cafeteria workers, custodians or other staff members, who don’t normally receive recognition.
• Tell someone they are special: students will be encouraged to write a message to another student they do not know that well, highlighting something special about them.
• Lunchtime Check List: students will be given a "Love and Kindness Day" checklist in which they have to check off as many acts of kindness as they can complete during their lunchtime.
City of Miami Beach
Tree planting ceremony at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park, 231 Ocean Drive - 4:30 p.m.
Orlando
The onePULSE Foundationwill be honoring the lives of the Parkland victims and survivors with a ceremony at the interim memorial at 1912 S. Orange Ave. on Thursday at 2:15 p.m.
According to Orlando Weekly, the vigil will include a reading of the 17 victims’ names as well as a moment of silence at 2:21 p.m., which is the time the Parkland shooting began. The organization also plans to tie 17 ribbons – one for each Parkland victim – on trees at the Pulse memorial. The ribbons will each bear the name of one of the victims, and will be colored silver and burgundy in honor of Stoneman Douglas’ school colors. The First United Methodist Church of Orlando will toll the bells 17 times during the ceremony to honor the 17 lives taken.
Local officials, including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and onePULSE executive director Barbara Poma, will also be present.
Sharon Aron Baron is the Editor of talk media for Parkland Talk, a newsletter for the residents in the City of Parkland. She compiled a list with several small businesses also honoring students, faculty, and staff of Parkland High tomorrow as well. Click here to view