[DIFLnews] November Newsletter

Thu Oct 28 22:38:59 UTC 2021

Greetings! 

Come visit Florida DI at Maker Faire <https://www.makerfaireorlando.com/>
in Orlando, November 13 and 14. We invite you to build a "Tall Tower" or
create a "Climbing Critter" for us. Our challenges are bagged this year, so
that you can work at our site or bring them home to minimize contact.  Our
volunteers are vaccinated and will be masked, so that you can enjoy the
challenges.

This information is from Destination Imagination
<https://www.destinationimagination.org/> , and I think the points are well
stated:

"With everything going on, it might seem easier for you to put
extracurricular activities on the back-burner. That would be a missed
opportunity. Extracurriculars like Destination Imagination are more critical
than ever and help us to actively support our children's mental health,
improve their student achievement, and re-establish normalcy.

Here are just five ways DI can help:

1.	Social Connections: We have all felt the impacts of isolation-but it
was worse for our children. When we make space and time for social
connections, it can reduce our anxiety and depression, help regulate our
emotions, and even improve our immune systems.
2.	Critical Thinking: This is an underrated skill that deserves more
attention. Without critical thinking, we lack the ability to analyze
information and make well-reasoned decisions, which are needed to solve
complex problems.
3.	Collaboration: We do everything better when we do it together.
Collaboration not only helps us produce more creative and effective ideas,
but gives our self-confidence and self-esteem a nice, healthy boost. 
4.	Adaptability: Nearly two years ago, unpredictability took on a whole
new meaning. Though we cannot prepare our kids for every unique challenge
they will encounter, we can help them develop the ability to adapt and face
new challenges head-on without feeling so overwhelmed.
5.	Voice and choice: Too often, children remain in a space between
compliance and engagement when they're at school and don't get the
opportunity to explore and further develop their passions. If we want our
children to be creative, self-directed learners, we need to give them more
voice and choice.

Our children need support, they need relationships, and they need healing.
We can help you make that a priority."  

Also from Destination Imagination:

"Along with our Affiliate leadership, health officials, and local
representatives, we are keeping apprised of all updates to the Covid-19
pandemic. Health and safety protocols (masks, social distancing, capacity
restrictions) will be made on an as-needed basis based on the local
conditions for each tournament. We understand that pandemic conditions can
change very rapidly, and we remain committed to tailoring our safety
strategies based on what is required and recommended during our tournament
season."

Florida DI is committed to the health and safety of our participants and we
are following relevant recommendations.  

Florida DI is planning for a return to live tournaments next spring, of
course depending upon CDC recommendations.  At this time, we are planning to
hold our state tournament at Park Maitland School in Maitland, Florida on
March 26, 2022.

For more reasons DI might be great for your child, our PARENT
<https://www.destinationimagination.org/parents/>  page will inspire you. To
excite your student, have them check out this year's CHALLENGE PREVIEWS
<https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-program/2021-22-challenge-
previews/?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=143009358&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-97lytLgbXVYatzfU1c
Kf4JhO2N812WvqsuYfFJwMNSXmgG38xtOb2RS1GRUolhFakODANgg-RD1j13avqrup7dBTjETQ&u
tm_content=143009358&utm_source=hs_email> . Ready to get started, but unsure
how, START A TEAM
<https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-program/start-a-team/>
will lay out your steps.  If you want more information from a real person,
sign up for a short INTRODUCTORY WEBINAR
<https://www.destinationimagination.org/webinar/> . 

We hope you are having some fun with the Instant Challenges that we have
been posting on our FLDI facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/pages/?category=your_pages&ref=bookmarks>  page.

Remember, we're just an email away at information at FloridaDI
<http://www.floridadi.org/cgi-bin/SendMail.cgi?to=information>  Please do
not hesitate to ask for assistance.  

Our best wishes for your continued health and safety, and we look forward to
working with you to provide your children with a great creative educational
experience this season.

Erica Bowler

Affiliate Director

Florida Destination Imagination

www.floridadi.org <http://www.floridadi.org/>  

 <http://www.floridadi.org/cgi-bin/SendMail.cgi?to=information>
information at FloridaDI.org

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