The Pacers are in full swing this season! At Collier High, all students are welcome to join our basketball team, whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out. Led by our dedicated staff, practices and games fit right into the school day! Plus, we're thrilled to have our cheerleaders back on the sidelines.

Collier School holds monthly mental health forums led by Clinical Coordinators Melissa Hudson and Ashley Staggard. Last month, our staff learned about the emotional challenges some students may face and how to best address them. Collier School's STAR Program is centered around understanding the unique emotional needs of each student and how to best address them for the student to thrive.

At Collier Youth Services, we embody the quote: "Just Love." Every day, we embrace our youth wholeheartedly, regardless of their past, with the hope of instilling this short yet powerful message into their hearts and minds. Beyond our school's walls, we hope for our students to carry this message into their lives, spreading love and acceptance wherever they go, and especially to themselves. As we celebrate Valentine's Day, let us all remember to lead with love, embracing each other with open arms. Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Collier Youth Services!

Mr. Hayden's talented art students created a beautiful mural to represent "Just Love" at Collier. Students also helped decorate the halls of Collier with love. The creativity and talent exuded by Collier students is truly incredible!

Yesterday, Collier School staff had the privilege of learning from Educator, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Monmouth University Professor Dr. Tina Paone on Individual and Organization Biases.

Dr. Paone worked with staff to understand how our individual roles and actions affect our school and most importantly, our students. Through the use of an Intercultural Development Inventory, discussions and activities Dr. Paone assisted staff in working to decrease bias and increase cultural competence within the Collier community. Thank you Dr. Paone for all of your insight and guidance!

Collier High School conducts weekly parent support groups covering a range of topics to ensure parents feel understood and supported. In a recent session, Mr. Reynold Forman, our Supervisor of Instruction, shared valuable insights about Executive Function Disorder, Demand Avoidance, and Persistent/Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA) during the parent support group.

Mr. Forman's dedication to advocating for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder was evident throughout the session. He emphasized the importance of sharing information with families, educating them on the different traits of Autism, and fostering compassion and understanding to support students at Collier and at home. PDA is not listed in the DSM, but ongoing studies and recognition in the U.K. are paving the way for understanding. Collier's staff is committed to gaining a deeper understanding of the various traits of Autism through informative sessions like today's.  Persistent Drive for Autonomy isn't just a trait; it's a unique neurotype, one of many profiles of Autism. 

Key takeaways from today's session:

• Students are doing their best to navigate social, behavioral, and academic expectations. After school, they need a break for rest; it's best to give them that hour without questions.

• Time is crucial for rest and mental processing. Allow the student to come to you about their day. 

For those with PDA, breaking down tasks can make them feel more manageable and achievable, with the added support of visuals and daily planners. The overarching message, whether in the classroom or at home, is to meet each student where they are on their journey, guiding them from 'I can't → I won't → I will → I can.'

Mr. Forman emphasized the critical awareness for parents about how quickly students can shut down, even if the desire to engage is still present. He likened this phenomenon to a "mind-body connection," explaining that an overload of information can overwhelm their system, leading to a shutdown. The aspiration is that sessions like today's will contribute to a greater understanding of neurodiversity both on and off campus at Collier High School.