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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#23496D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center'><img width=625 height=89 id="Picture_x0020_6" src="cid:image001.png@01D7CC2A.DC74E4E0"><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#23496D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Greetings! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Come visit Florida DI at <span class=MsoHyperlink><b><a href="https://www.makerfaireorlando.com/">Maker Faire</a></b></span><b> </b>in<b> </b>Orlando,<b> </b>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><img border=0 width=529 height=51 id="Picture_x0020_5" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D7CC2A.DC74E4E0" alt="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/983ea8d89da8441460e8a9b20/images/5313a540-5f05-46c6-a9b1-68c92ded7a4b.jpg"></span><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>This information is from <span class=MsoHyperlink><b><a href="https://www.destinationimagination.org/">Destination Imagination</a></b></span>, and I think the points are well stated:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>“With everything going on, it might seem easier for you to put extracurricular activities on the back-burner. <b>That would be a missed opportunity</b>. Extracurriculars like Destination Imagination are more critical than ever and help us to <b>actively support</b> our children’s mental health, improve their student achievement, and re-establish normalcy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><strong><span style='font-size:16.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Here are just five ways DI can help:</span></strong><span style='font-size:16.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><ol start=1 type=1><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><strong><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Social Connections</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><strong><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Critical Thinking</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><strong><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Collaboration</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>: 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. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><strong><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Adaptability</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><strong><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Voice and choice</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol><p><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Our children need <b>support</b>, they need <b>relationships</b>, and they need <b>healing</b>. We can help you make that a priority.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#23496D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><img border=0 width=529 height=51 id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D7CC2A.DC74E4E0" alt="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/983ea8d89da8441460e8a9b20/images/5313a540-5f05-46c6-a9b1-68c92ded7a4b.jpg"></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Also from Destination Imagination:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>“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.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Florida DI is committed to the health and safety of our participants and we are following relevant recommendations. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><img border=0 width=529 height=51 id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D7CC2A.DC74E4E0" alt="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/983ea8d89da8441460e8a9b20/images/5313a540-5f05-46c6-a9b1-68c92ded7a4b.jpg"></span><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#23496D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><img border=0 width=529 height=51 id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D7CC2A.DC74E4E0" alt="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/983ea8d89da8441460e8a9b20/images/5313a540-5f05-46c6-a9b1-68c92ded7a4b.jpg"></span><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#23496D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#23496D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif'>For more reasons DI might be great for your child, our <span class=MsoHyperlink><b><a href="https://www.destinationimagination.org/parents/">PARENT</a></b></span> page will inspire you. To excite your student, have them check out this year’s <span class=MsoHyperlink><b><a href="https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-program/2021-22-challenge-previews/?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=143009358&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-97lytLgbXVYatzfU1cKf4JhO2N812WvqsuYfFJwMNSXmgG38xtOb2RS1GRUolhFakODANgg-RD1j13avqrup7dBTjETQ&utm_content=143009358&utm_source=hs_email">CHALLENGE PREVIEWS</a></b></span>. Ready to get started, but unsure how, <span class=MsoHyperlink><b><a href="https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-program/start-a-team/">START A TEAM</a></b></span><b> </b>will lay out your steps. If you want more information from a real person, sign up for a short<b> <span class=MsoHyperlink><a href="https://www.destinationimagination.org/webinar/">INTRODUCTORY WEBINAR</a></span></b><span class=MsoHyperlink>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></span></p><p><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>We hope you are having some fun with the Instant Challenges that we have been posting on our</span></span><span style='font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif'> <b><u><span style='color:#0563C1'><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/?category=your_pages&ref=bookmarks">FLDI facebook</a></span></u></b> page.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif;color:#202020'>Remember, we’re just an email away at </span><b><u><span style='font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif;color:#0563C1'><a href="http://www.floridadi.org/cgi-bin/SendMail.cgi?to=information">information@FloridaDI</a></span></u></b><span style='font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif;color:#202020'> Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-align:center;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><img border=0 width=529 height=51 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D7CC2A.DC74E4E0" alt="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/983ea8d89da8441460e8a9b20/images/5313a540-5f05-46c6-a9b1-68c92ded7a4b.jpg"></span><span style='font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif;color:#202020'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif;color:#202020'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif'>Erica Bowler<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif'>Affiliate Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif'>Florida Destination Imagination<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif'><a href="http://www.floridadi.org/">www.floridadi.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif;color:blue;background:white;mso-highlight:white'><a href="http://www.floridadi.org/cgi-bin/SendMail.cgi?to=information"><span style='text-decoration:none'>information@FloridaDI.org</span></a></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><img border=0 width=317 height=45 id="Picture_x0020_7" src="cid:image003.png@01D7CC2A.DC74E4E0"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Maiandra GD",sans-serif;color:#202020'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>