Verizon comes to Broward schools
From David Volz
On Monday, December 5, 2022, six schools across Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) will become the latest schools to join Verizon Innovative Learning, which is Verizon’s award-winning education initiative addressing digital inclusion and helping to drive equity within education for some of the most vulnerable populations across the country.
The Verizon Innovative Learning program, in partnership with Digital Promise, provides students with free technology devices, internet access and innovative STEM learning programs to keep students connected and help facilitate learning wherever it is taking place.
Powered by a next-gen, technology-infused education model, Verizon Innovative Learning also equips each school with a technology coach and provides professional development support for teachers to assist them in effectively integrating technology into the classroom. Teachers in the program report that the initiative allows for more individualized instruction, helps them explore new ways of teaching and elevates student engagement.
The latest six schools in BCPS to join the Verizon Innovative Learning initiative are Annabel C. Perry Pre K-8, Bair Middle School, Driftwood Middle School, Forest Glen Middle School, Millennium 6-12 Collegiate Academy and Parkway Middle School. In addition, Apollo Middle School, Lauderdale Lakes Middle School, Plantation Middle School, Pompano Beach Middle School, Silver Lakes Middle School and William Dandy Middle School – will receive hotspots for students who lack reliable high-speed internet access at home. In all, 12 schools join nine other District schools currently participating.
“Technology continues to lead the way in our classrooms and in our communities,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Vickie L. Cartwright. “We appreciate the expanding partnership of Verizon Innovative Learning and Digital Promise that ensures our students have access to technology and resources that allow them to excel and compete in our highly technological society.”
“Verizon Innovative Learning is not just a program that offers tablets – the tablets are the ‘eye candy’ piece of this program,” said BCPS Forest Glen Middle School Principal Melissa Gurreonero. “Verizon Innovative Learning offers an approach to learning that is cutting edge and necessary for our students to thrive in this ever-changing world. Our partnership with Verizon Innovative Learning and Digital Promise will allow our school community to stay connected, whether or not we are at school, so we can continue to grow and learn together.”
“So many students across the nation lack the access to technology and resources they need to be successful in today’s digital world,” said Merdochey LaFrance, Government Affairs, Verizon. “On behalf of Verizon, we are excited to help enable students in Broward County Public Schools to develop the skills, knowledge and capabilities for a more promising future.”
Port Everglades continues to move larger amounts of freight
From David Volz
Port Everglades fell one day short of beating its own annual record for containerized cargo volumes in Fiscal Year 2022 (ending September 30, 2022). The ships that would have taken Port Everglades over the top were delayed when the port closed to prepare for Hurricane Ian in late September. Those delayed ships offloaded on October 1, at the start of the new fiscal year and one day too late to claim a new record.
“It’s frustrating that we were just 919 containers short of breaking our 2018 record, but gratifying to know that these high volumes translate into successes for our customers and greater economic benefits for the region,” said Port Everglades Chief Executive Officer and Port Director Jonathan Daniels.
Port Everglades moved a total of 1,107,546 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units, the standard measurement for container volumes) in FY2022, up 7% from FY2021, according to the Port’s unaudited end-of-fiscal-year report.
“We expected to eventually return to normal cargo levels by the end of the year, and were pleasantly surprised by additional volumes from MSC, Maersk and CMA CGM,” Daniels said. “The new business can be attributed to increasing consumer demand in Florida and the Port’s intermodal assets to efficiently move goods into the marketplace. We may also be seeing some opportunity from services that have been impacted by congestion at other ports.”
On a calendar year-to-date basis, trade at Port Everglades was valued at $21.45 billion, an increase of 23.92% through September, according to the WorldCity trade analysis website. Exports totaled $10.66 billion, up 25.07% while imports were valued at $10.79 billion, up 22.8%.
The Port’s energy sector also celebrated its second-best year, with a 12% increase in petroleum volumes. A near record of 126,502,464 barrels of petroleum (5.3 billion gallons), mostly gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, were distributed by the privately owned energy companies that operate from Port Everglades.
| Broward Schools will use Jan. 12 and April 20 as make up days. From David Volz Broward County Public Schools will use two previously scheduled early release days, Thursday, January 12, 2023 and Thursday, April 20, 2023 as make-up days following Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole. District schools will implement full-day schedules on those two days. In addition, for high school schedules only, mid-term testing scheduled for December 20 – 23 (which typically allows for early dismissal), will also be converted to full-day schedules. The changes to the two early release dates and the high school mid-term testing dates will satisfy the state’s requirement for instructional hours. Potential hurricane make-up days were planned for and included in the 2022/23 school year calendar. The dates were selected in consideration of students, families and staff commitments for vacations and holidays. |
Miami Dade receives $14.5 million grant for the Biscayne Bat Water Quality Pollution Reduction Project
From David Volz
Miami-Dade County is receiving a $14.5 million grant for the Biscayne Bay Water Quality Characterization and Pollution Reduction Project, following an announcement by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) this week. This next phase of funding will be allocated to the county’s ongoing septic-to-sewer conversion initiative, Connect 2 Protect in the Unincorporated Municipal Service Area (UMSA) of Miami-Dade. FDEP guidelines require that the money be used to further the conversion from septic tanks to sewer systems in communities that are both economically disadvantaged and contain septic tank systems at risk of failure from rising groundwater impacts. An additional over $8 million for restoration and other projects was awarded to municipalities within the County.
“These critical funds are going to accelerate Miami-Dade’s septic-to-sewer conversion, as we continue to implement climate mitigation and resilience initiatives,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Septic tank systems are particularly at risk of failure as our community sees increased sea level rise, creating greater risk of nutrient pollution in our groundwater and bay. My thanks to the state of Florida for prioritizing the health and wellbeing of Biscayne Bay and our Connect 2 Protect program.”
The funding originated with a $1 million grant application made by the county in August of 2020 to address the ongoing water quality issues in north Biscayne Bay as demonstrated by the collapse of seagrass communities, the first reported fish kill event in the bay, and the imminent impacts of sea level rise. Projects included wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements and enhanced technology, habitat enhancement and restoration, education, and water quality investigations. That same month, the County Board of Commissioners adopted the, Biscayne Bay Task Force report which outlined seven major issues to be addressed, with water quality at the forefront. By the end of year, with support from state and county leadership to implement the Task Force’s goals, the $1 million allocation was increased to $10 million. The county has continued to partner with the state in advancing these priority projects since the inception of the grant program in 2020, with $12.9 million in funding for a second phase of projects last year and the $14.5 million grant announced today.
“We know that septic-to-sewer conversions will go a long way in protecting Biscayne Bay,” said Irela Bagué, Miami-Dade’s Chief Bay Officer. “Prioritizing vulnerable septic tanks in areas impacted by sea level rise will further prevent nutrient pollution from entering the bay. We are grateful for the continued commitment of our Governor, State Legislature, and agency partners for these investments towards the recovery of Biscayne Bay, the blue heart of our community and the mainstay of our economy.”
“There are more than 120,000 septic tanks in Miami-Dade County, with 9,000 of those at risk of failure,” said Roy Coley, Director of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department. “We are ready for and committed to the continued expansion of our system to areas that do not have access to reliable and resilient wastewater infrastructure, which protects public health, the environment, and supports economic growth.”
The grant awarded to Miami-Dade County is part of FDEP’s larger Biscayne Bay Grant Program, which is also providing $2.3 million to the City of North Miami for septic to sewer conversions, $2 million to the City of Coral Gables for Phase I Sanitary Sewer improvements, $2 million to the City of Miami Springs for stormwater infrastructure, $700,000 to the Town of Cutler Bay for wetland restoration, $650,000 to the Village of Key Biscayne for stormwater infrastructure, and $600,000 to Miami River Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization.
