Broward Schools Mark 8 Years Since Parkland Tragedy

Remembrance events and new school safety initiatives honor the 17 victims of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Eight years after the deadly mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Broward County Public Schools held a day of remembrance and service to honor the 17 victims. Schools across the district organized activities like forming the word "love" on basketball courts and packing care bags for the needy. District leaders, school board members, and members of Congress joined students and staff to mark the somber anniversary and highlight ongoing efforts to improve school safety.

Why it matters

The Parkland shooting was a tragic event that deeply impacted the Broward County community. Eight years later, the district is still working to heal and implement new safety measures to prevent such a devastating incident from happening again. The remembrance activities and safety initiatives discussed in this story demonstrate the community's resilience and commitment to honoring the victims while creating a safer environment for students.

The details

Schools across Broward County held various activities to mark the 8th anniversary of the Parkland shooting, including students hanging messages of peace, forming the word "love" on basketball courts, and packing care bags for the needy. District Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn and School Board member Lori Alhadeff, who lost her daughter Alyssa in the tragedy, joined students in these service projects. Alhadeff has spent the last 8 years advocating for improved school safety measures, which Hepburn says now include crisis alert badges for all staff and enhanced physical security. U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz also used the anniversary to announce the reintroduction of "Jaime's Law", which would require background checks to purchase ammunition.

  • On February 14, 2018, a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing 17 people.
  • At 10:17 AM on February 14, 2026, all Broward County schools observed a moment of silence to remember the victims.

The players

Broward County Public Schools

The public school district serving Broward County, Florida, including Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School where the 2018 mass shooting took place.

Dr. Howard Hepburn

The Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools.

Lori Alhadeff

A member of the Broward County School Board who lost her daughter Alyssa in the 2018 Parkland shooting.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

A U.S. Representative for Florida's 23rd congressional district, which includes Parkland.

Fred Guttenberg

A Parkland parent whose daughter Jaime was killed in the 2018 shooting, and who has become a national advocate for gun violence prevention.

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What they’re saying

“So I know Alyssa is watching and looking down and so honored by what our students are doing for service and love.”

— Lori Alhadeff, Broward County School Board member

“Every staff member in Broward County Public Schools has a crisis alert badge, and I have one, too. We can press and get a response from the first responders, law enforcement.”

— Dr. Howard Hepburn, Superintendent, Broward County Public Schools

“You can't prevent every tragedy, but you can make it less likely when you put obstacles in the path of someone who intends to do harm.”

— Debbie Wasserman Schultz, U.S. Representative

“I am her voice now, and my daughter was always a beacon for good, always, and I know she's looking down and saying dad, you did good.”

— Fred Guttenberg, Parkland parent

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing efforts by the Broward County community to honor the victims of the Parkland tragedy and implement new safety measures to prevent such a devastating event from happening again. The remembrance activities, advocacy work, and technological innovations discussed demonstrate the community's resilience and commitment to creating a safer environment for students.