Neapolitan Family March 2023

Joining hands for the children of Southwest Florida

NCH is proud to collaborate with Nicklaus Children’s, home to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital –Florida’s #1 ranked children’s hospital* – to provide neonatal and pediatric care in Collier County. NCH has served the county’s children, mothers and families for more than six decades, and proudly provides inpatient and outpatient care for more than 30,000 children annually. NCH is also the only hospital in Collier County offering labor and delivery services and 24-hour pediatric emergency care.

To find out more, please visit NCHmd.org/Nicklaus

* Nicklaus Children’s is tied with two other hospitals in Florida for U.S.News & World Report’s 2022-23 Pediatric Rankings, and is the only top-ranked hospital in South Florida.

Logan Branstetter, 17, is a junior at Gulf Coast High School. She has been volunteering since age 5, and her goal is to have over 500 volunteer hours by the time she graduates next year. At GCHS, she is a member of the marching band dance line, Drama Club, Key Club, Jesus Culture Club, track team, and a two-time Honor Choir participant. Logan also is actively involved with her church’s youth program. She has three older brothers, with a 20-year gap between her and the oldest.

Cover photo by Monica Alvarez www.monicaalvarezphotography.com 305-815-3495

info@monicaalvarezphotography.com

22 Putting Holocaust Education to the Test Are we doing enough to stem the rising tide of antisemitic incidents in SWFL?

by Andrea Stetson

26 Kindness Corner. This new monthly column showcases local teens and tweens who are making a difference by being kind

by Andrea Stetson

28 Meet Orli Gottesman. If you are a fan of TV’s ‘Yellowstone,’ you may already be aware of this local teen’s talent.

by Andrea Stetson

30 Dual Enrollment. Three high schoolers talk about getting a head start on college at FGCU.

by Rachel Newman

32 Connecting With Your Teen. Sage advice on connecting with your teen who is never home.

By Cheryl Maguire

34 The Evolution of the Public Library. Libraries quietly have evolved into community centers where all ages gather to be educated and entertained.

By Leigh Ann Newman

P.O. Box 110656

Naples, FL 34108

info@neafamily.com

Co-Publisher

Stacy Nicolau snicolau@neafamily.com 239-370-5333

Co-Publisher

Leigh Ann Newman lanewman@neafamily.com 239-272-0529

Travel Editor

Karen T. Bartlett mostlykidsguides@gmail.com 239-595-9026

Newsletter Editor

Emily Brockelsby

Feature Writers

Anna Snyder

Andrea Stetson

Editorial submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for return of any unsolicited materials. Articles and advertisements in Neapolitan Family do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher nor does the publisher assume responsibility for statements made by our advertisers or editorial contributors. Acceptance of advertising by Neapolitan Family does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Neapolitan Family is available free of charge at distribution points throughout Collier County, as well as digitally at https://neafamily.com. Neapolitan Family is ©2023 by Neapolitan Family Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

Member of

THIS MONTH Teens

When complaining about the challenges of a day spent with my toddlers, I remember my sister with older children telling me: “Toddlers are physically exhausting, but teenagers are mentally exhausting.”

Now that my kids are teenagers and beyond, I can absolutely agree. I also can say, whether I had a toddler lying on the floor of Target having a tantrum or a teenager burst into tears and slam the door, my response has usually been the same: “Well, I didn’t see that coming.”

The moms’ groups on social media usually are very open about discussing strategies for solving the toughest toddler issues. Teen and tween parent groups are a lot quieter about the things that worry them the most, for several reasons: to protect the privacy of their older child’s mental and physical challenges, and feelings of shame in the midst of the posts about awards, honor roll, and sports/dance.

Raising teens can be very lonely. Being a teen is even lonelier.

In this issue we focus on local teens doing amazing things in our community, but we also have included articles about how to talk to your teen about hard things, and how to find the answers to the top eight questions that parents Google.

You’ll meet local students who serve our community through volunteering for causes that resonate with them. You’ll also hear from high school teens about their experiences with dual enrollment in college classes. You’ll meet Orli Gottesman, an aspiring actress who landed a role on the popular series ‘Yellowstone,’ now streaming on Paramount Network.

We may think that we are raising kind, empathetic humans, but lately local Jewish teens, including my own, have been experiencing increasing acts of antisemitism against them by their peers, as rhetoric from leaders and popular entertainers becomes more divisive.

Neapolitan Family met with some of these students, their parents, area educators, the Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Naples, and a local rabbi to talk about learning opportunities in our community.

If you haven’t stepped foot in the traveling box car exhibit, an authentic Holocaust-era rail car on loan to the Holocaust museum, you can call to find out where it is in the community right now. Next month, the box car will visit Naples High School, to coordinate with Holocaust studies at the school.

Teaching our children kindness, empathy, and how to appreciate the unique experiences of their peers is the greatest challenge of parenthood, and it begins in our homes and schools.

from the publisher…

CCPS Students Named to Florida All-State Music Ensembles

TheFlorida Music Education Association named 34 students from Collier County Public Schools to its 2023 All-State band, orchestra, and chorus ensembles from thousands of middle and high school students across the state. Being selected for All-State is the highest honor a Florida student musician can receive. These students traveled to Tampa in January for the 2023 FMEA conference, and performed concerts with their respective ensembles.

Symphonic Band (11-12)

Connor Casey, Gulf Coast High School

Christian Gonzalez-Villa, Golden Gate High School

Dawson Huynh, Naples High School

Shelby Kahn, Barron Collier High School

Daoyi Liu, Barron Collier High School

Luc Mazzone, Gulf Coast High School

Stéphane Pierre, Golden Gate High School

Symphonic Orchestra (11-12)

Amanda Marcy, Naples High School

Ashley Newsome, Barron Collier High School

Rachel Torres, Gulf Coast High School

Every day, students at Royal Palm Academy grow spiritually, academically and as future leaders. Experience our school community –the foundation for exceptional character development – for yourself!

Concert Band (9-10)

Trevor Ball, Gulf Coast High School

Tricia Jackson, Gulf Coast High School

Hank Zhang, Gulf Coast High School

Concert Orchestra (9-10)

Reagan Kelly, Gulf Coast High School

Middle School Band

Josue Alarcon-Osorio, Manatee Middle School

Jocelyn Chalick, North Naples Middle School

Erin Hanna, Oakridge Middle School

Rachel Kastner, Oakridge Middle School

Joseph Sanabria, Golden Gate Middle School

Middle School Orchestra

Edison Filner, Pine Ridge Middle School

High School Honor Band

Ellie Carvajal, Palmetto Ridge High School

9th-12th Grade Honors Orchestra

Kiara Limones Castillo, Lely High School

Cindy Rojas, Palmetto Ridge High School

7th & 8th Grade Honor Band

Valentina Alikaj, Pine Ridge Middle School

7th & 8th Grade Honors Orchestra

Isaac Garatejo Zambrano, Oakridge Middle School

Emmanuella Jerome-Piard, Gulfview Middle School

Sloane Kelly, Oakridge Middle School

May Oo, North Naples Middle School

High School Reading Chorus

Ruby Annunziata, Gulf Coast High School

Senior High SSAA Chorus

Olivia Strathmann, Gulf Coast High School

Senior High TTBB Chorus

Michael Lakin, Palmetto Ridge High School

Middle School Treble Chorus

Sarah Dabees, North Naples Middle School

Gianna Lucarelli, North Naples Middle School

Middle School Mixed Chorus

Liettel Daniela Lopez Gonzalez, Cypress Palm Middle School

Did your kids do something amazing? Is your organization hosting an event? Let us know, and you might see your news in print!

Send photos and details to info@neafamily.com.

Helping Young Children Develop a Healthy Relationship With Food

nuts, carrots or celery with hummus, or hard-boiled eggs.

5. Help them understand the origins of food. Take them to a farm or farmers market to interest them in vegetables, grains, fruit, and dairy. Let them experience the produce department and choose fruits or vegetables that look good to them.

6. Let them help. Include your children in the cooking experience. They may be more likely to try a new food if they help prepare it.

7. Be persistent. Introduce foods more than once with different preparation styles and seasonings, as taste changes over time. Choice is a key element to encouraging a healthy diet.

8. Lead by example. Parental influence is especially important in developing healthy habits. Expose children to a variety of healthy foods, praise them when they try new foods, and make sure others around them are eating well.

We’ve all experienced it, whether with our own children or watching the scenario play out at a restaurant: children negotiating for chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese, or flipping out over something they don’t like on their plate.

March is National Nutrition Month, which offers a reminder that healthy eating patterns are about adding nutritious food that reflects cultures, tradition, personal preference, and budgetary considerations. This month also is a good time to remember that children’s early eating experiences shape how they eat as they grow older. That is why it is so important to introduce children to healthy foods from the very beginning.

Healthy eating can help prevent many chronic diseases, including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.

Good nutrition in children can:

• Stabilize their energy

• Improve their minds

• Even out their moods

• Help them maintain a healthy weight

• Help prevent mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

At about 6 months old, children begin eating their first solid foods, and need a variety of macronutrients (carbohydrate,

protein, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) to grow healthy and strong.

However, putting healthy food on their plate does not necessarily mean they will eat it. Here are some tips to avoid mealtime battles and keep healthy foods in the mix:

1. Offer choices. Let your child choose between healthy options, such as apple slices or celery with peanut butter. Giving them some autonomy may lead them to choose healthy food in the future. Prepare a dinner with protein and three vegetables, and then let them choose two of the three veggies.

2. Let them make their own plates. Meals generally should include a protein, a complex carbohydrate, vegetables, fruit, and milk or another calcium-rich food. Try to give your child options within these categories.

3. Combine new foods with healthy options they already like. Introducing them to a variety of foods may keep them from becoming fussy eaters later.

4. Make good snack choices. Snacks should be rich with protein and fiber to keep children full longer. Some recommended snacks include whole-grain crackers with cheese, apple slices with peanut butter,

9. Reduce distractions during mealtimes. This allows children to focus on the meal and to avoid overstimulation that makes decisions more difficult. They may notice more about the colors, flavors, and textures of the delicious foods they are eating.

10. Limit convenience and takeout food. Sugar often is added to breads, canned soup or vegetables, condiments such as ketchup, frozen meals, and fast food. Extra sugar adds empty calories and can contribute to hyperactivity, mood disorders, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Parents are not alone and have valuable partners in their children’s healthy growth. Annual pediatric well visits are important to ensure your child is a healthy weight, address health problems, and receive wellness tips.

Visit www.HealthcareSWFL.org or call 239-658-3000 to learn more.

YIRA DIAZ MENA is a registered dietitian with Healthcare Network, a primary care provider for children, adults, and seniors with practices in Naples, Golden Gate, and Immokalee. For pediatric patients who are unable to get an appointment with their primary care provider, Healthcare Network offers Pediatric Convenient Care as a same-day care option for minor illnesses.

COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

By Jennifer Kupiec

Kindergarten Registration Open in Collier County

It seems like only yesterday that I, along with many other nervous parents, registered my first born for kindergarten. I remember being excited, yet terrified. Will he be able to open his lunch box? What if his shoe comes untied? Will the other kids treat him nicely? Will he understand the rules of his new environment? So many questions, yet my worries were unnecessary. My son is now in fourth grade and thriving, along with his younger sister, at a Collier County public school.

Why am I telling you all this? Kindergarten registration for Collier County Public Schools opened Feb. 1, and while some parents are jumping for joy, others may be just as nervous as I was back then. Speaking from my experience, I can assure you that the registration process is simple and that your child will be taken care of by some of the most caring and nurturing individuals you’ll meet – our teachers, of course!

If you have a child who will turn 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2023, you’ll want to begin your kindergarten registration as soon as possible by visiting www.collierschools.com/registration.

The CCPS registration process is completely online. We even have a video tutorial on the page to help you.

First, collect the required documents listed on the registration web page. It’s important to note that physicals must be completed in the U.S. within 12 months of the child’s first day of school, meaning the physical must be dated after Aug. 10, 2022. In addition, immunization records must be on a Florida form (DH 680 Form). If you are coming from another state, contact the Collier County Health Department about transferring current records to the Florida form.

Once you have all your documentation, you may begin your online registration. The process is also mobile-friendly, which means you don’t need a computer, and everything can be done on your phone.

When your registration is complete and all documents have

2023 YOUTH

EDUCATION

been uploaded, you will electronically sign and submit your application for processing. To confirm the status of your registration, visit register.collierschools.com. Be sure to check the message box in case additional information is needed by our registration team.

You will know that your registration is complete when you see the word “Enrolled” with a PDF document next to it. Review the PDF document, as it contains all your registration information as well as any additional steps. Our student relations team is available to answer questions at 239-377-0547.

We cannot stress enough the importance of registering early. As the new school year approaches, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your child is ready for that first day of school, and you can enjoy the remaining days of summer before this next chapter begins.

Spring Break Camps

MARCH 13-17 & MARCH 20-24 AT CFABS!

We welcome kids ages 4 and up to our innovative Spring Break program, which includes projects and activities in Art, Theatre, Film, Music, Cooking and more. At the Centers there’s something new to do or create each day! Pick the courses that you like best—mix & match, full days or half days.

MORNING SESSIONS 9AM-12PM

AFTERNOON SESSIONS 1-4PM

Supervised Before, Lunch & After Care Available

Author Jennifer Kupiec’s son, Frankie, in kindergarten (left) and today as a happy fourth grader (right) at Collier County Public Schools.

OUT & ABOUT in March

1 WEDNESDAY

Library hours. Rainbow Fun. Also Thursday and Friday. Make rainbow chains and bring some color to the library. All ages. Located at Immokalee Library, 417 N. First St., Immokalee. Check www. collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-7073.

10 a.m. Toddler Storytime. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Stories, songs, and activities for ages 16-35 months. Located at Estates Library, 1266 Golden Gate Blvd. W., Naples. Call 239-252-7109 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

4 p.m. Drop-in Game Time: Chess and More. Ages 11+. Chess, checkers, and other board games. Located at Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Ave., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-5135.

7:30 p.m. The Sound of Music Opening Night Sold Out. Check for availability thru April 2. Located at Naples Players, 701 5th Ave. S., Naples. Check www. naplesplayers.org or call 239-263-7990.

3 FRIDAY

10:30 a.m. Family Storytime. Stories, songs, and a craft for children of all ages and caregivers. Located at Marco Island Library, 210 S. Heathwood Dr., Marco Island. Call 239-252-7064 or check www. collierlibrary.org.

5:30 p.m. Avow Kids First Friday Movie Night. Enjoy dinner and Finding Nemo. Free. Located at Avow Ispiri Community Center, 1205 Whippoorwill Ln., Naples. RSVP to 239-261-4404 or AvowKids@avowcares.org.

Photo by Monica Alvarez

4 SATURDAY

9 a.m. Free Zoo Admission for Collier Residents. Present qualifying ID for free entry on the first Saturday of the month. Located at Naples Zoo, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd., Naples. Call 239-315-7626 or check www.napleszoo.org.

9 a.m. Sports Day & Health Fair. Free. Bring your entire family to play different sports, attend nutritional classes, and more. Located YMCA of Collier County, 5450 YMCA Rd., Naples. Call 239-597-3148 or check www.ymcacollier.org.

10 a.m. Calusa Coast: Family Fun Day. Kids will use shell tools to learn about the Calusa peoples’ creativity. Take home activities also provided. Located at Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S. Heathwood Dr., Marco Island. Call 239-252-1440 or check www.colliermuseums.com.

10 a.m. Southwest Florida Reading Festival. Author talks, book signings, storytellers, crafts, readings, raffles, and more. Located at Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First St., Fort Myers. Call 239-533-4600 and check www.readfest.org.

2 p.m. Saturday Movie Matinee: Rumble. Rated PG. Located at Immokalee Library, 417 N. First St., Immokalee. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-7073.

2 p.m. Saturday Movie Matinee: The Wild. Rated G. Registration required. Located at Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Ave., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239252-5135.

Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box. Don't miss this hilarious Tony-winning musical.

Don’t miss this treasure... we highly recommend it, especially if you have children.

Music & Lyrics by William Finn, Book by Rachel Sheinkin, Conceived by Rebecca Feldman, Directed by Steven Calakos

Is

Try

Milestone checklists for 2 months to 5 years

Receive a summary of your child’s milestones

Download, print, and save summary to your desktop and/or mobile device

8 WEDNESDAY

4 p.m. Lego Fun. Ages 4-11. Share ideas, be creative, and have fun. Bricks provided. Registration not required. Located at Estates Library, 1266 Golden Gate Blvd. W., Naples. Call 239-252-7109 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

10 FRIDAY

6 p.m. Kids’ Night Out. Ages 5-11. Games, activities, dinner, and a movie. $10. Located at Eagle Lakes Community Park, 11565 Tamiami Tr. E., Naples. Check www. collierparks.com or call 239-252-3527.

11 SATURDAY

9 a.m. WGCU Be My Neighbor Day. Free. Games, crafts, and vendors. Meet Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kittycat. Located at Myra Janco Daniels Public Media Center, FGCU, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers. Call 239-590-2300 or check www.wgcu.org.

Market. More than three dozen vendors offer fruit, vegetables, local seafood, art, and more. Live music. Located at Rookery Bay, 300 Tower Rd., Naples. Call 239530-5972 or check www.rookerybay. org.

10 a.m. Free Wonder Gardens Admission. Free entry with Bonita Spring address on a photo ID on the first Sunday of the month. Located at Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Rd., Bonita Springs. Check www.wondergardens.org or call 239992-2591.

11 a.m. Food Truck Palooza. Local food trucks, pony rides, beer garden, carnival games, entertainment, and a huge kids’ zone. $5 admission per person (Ages 2 and younger free). Food purchased separately. Located at Temple Shalom Preschool, 4630 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples. Check www.templeshalompreschoolnaples. org/events or call 239-455-3227.

7 TUESDAY

2 p.m. I’m Game If You Are. Join us as we kick off our game night. Located at Vanderbilt Beach Library, 788 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples. Call 239-252-7160 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

10 a.m. Archaeologist Jr. Ages 3-5. It’s never too early for your little one to learn about the wonders of archaeology. Registration encouraged. Located at Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Tr. E., Naples. Call 239-2528476 or check www.colliermuseums.com.

10:30 a.m. Preschool STEAM: Bugs. Ages 3-5. Learn about insects through hands-on activities. Registration required. Located at South County Library, 21100 Three Oaks Pkwy., Estero. Call 239-5334400 or check www.leegov.com/library.

5:30 p.m. Purim Celebration. Dress in costume, listen to stories, make noise, create crafts, and enjoy a puppet show. Registration required. All ages. Provided by PJ Library and the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Located at Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples. Call 239-252-7371 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

9 THURSDAY

3:45 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day Craft. Make a craft and decorate a cookie. Registration required. Located at Golden Gate Library, 2432 Lucerne Rd., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-4549.

10 a.m. Easter Bunny Egg Hunt. Weekends thru April 9. Located at Springtime Farms Adventure Park, 10761 Aqua Vista Lane, Fort Myers. Check www.springtimeplantfarm.com or call 239-309-0630.

10 a.m. Southwest Florida Archaeologist Day. All ages. Meet archaeologists and learn how they study the ancient and historic people of Southwest Florida. Fun, hands-on activities. Located at Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Tr. E., Naples. Call 239-2528476 or check www.colliermuseums.com.

10:30 a.m. Conservancy Turtle Visit. Learn about the different turtles in Florida. Make a fun craft, play an interactive game, and even get to meet a real turtle. Located at Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples. Call 239-252-7371 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

11 a.m. Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Join 40,000 people at this popular parade. Located at Third Avenue South, Naples. Check www. naplesparade.com.

11 a.m. Pups ‘n’ Books. Read to a dog or just pet one. All ages. Dogs are provided by Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs. Located at Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Ave., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-5135.

12 p.m. Family Camp Out Night. A great way to experience camp out with much of the “work” already done for you. Dinner and continental breakfast provided. Games, crafts, and campfire s’mores. Located at Pepper Ranch Preserve, 6315 Pepper Rd., Immokalee. Call 239-252-2961 or check www.collierparks.com.

2 p.m. Saturday Movie Matinee: Meet the Robinsons. Rated G. Registration required. Located at Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Ave., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-5135.

3 p.m. Pups ‘n’ Books. Read to a dog or just pet one. All ages. Dogs are provided by Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs. Located at Vanderbilt Beach Library, 788 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples. Call 239-252-7160 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

12 SUNDAY

10 a.m. Second Sundays. Enjoy trails, meet special guests, and explore the beautiful 10-acre preserve. Free, donations appreciated. Located at Gore Nature Education Center, 4261 40th Ave. S.E., Naples. Check www.cclandkeepers.com or call 239-308-0281.

14 TUESDAY

4:30 p.m. Avow Kids Spring Break: Camp Pause. Thru Friday. Ages 8-12. Free. Join Avow Kids counselors and music therapist to take a pause during spring break to reset minds, body, and spirit. Located at Avow, 1095 Whippoorwill Ln., Naples. Email AvowKids@avowcares.org or call 239-261-4404.

Dance With Us This Fall!

Dance With Us This Spring!

15 WEDNESDAY

2 p.m. Make-and-Take. Drop-in workshop where kids and adults learn about featured museum exhibitions and then create their own artwork. Free with museum admission. Located at Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Call 239-2542621, email jwozniak@artisnaples.org, or check www.artisnaples. org.

16 THURSDAY

Check website for times. Collier Fair 2023. Eleven days of jam-packed fun. Rides, food, agriculture, livestock, and lots of entertainment. Located at Collier Fairgrounds, 751 39th Ave. NE, Naples. Call 239-455-1444 or check www.collierfair.com.

1 p.m. Ukrainian Easter Egg Decorating. Ages 13+. Learn the ancient art. Three-hour workshop. Registration required. Located at Golden Gate Library, 2432 Lucerne Rd., Naples. Call 239-252-4542 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

2 p.m. Shy Wolf Sanctuary at the Library. Meet one of the sanctuary’s four-legged furry residents. All ages. Located at Immokalee Library, 417 N. First St., Immokalee. Call 239-2527073 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

6 p.m. The Artsy Evening. Ages 5-12. An evening of art-making activities for kids. Registration required. Located at Naples Art Institute, 585 Park St., Naples. Check www.naplesart.org or call 239-262-6517.

7 p.m. PFLAG Naples. A safe, loving, and supportive environment for the parents, family, and friends of the LGBTQ people. Located at Naples Pride Center, 2248 Airport Rd. S., Naples. Call 239-304-9407 or check www.naplespride.org.

17 FRIDAY Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

10 a.m. National Train Day. Celebrate with rides on the outdoor railway, watching Thomas run in the miniature park, and enjoy the annual display of trains to see, build, and buy. Located at Naples Lionel Train Museum, 401 10th St. S., Naples. Visit www. naplestrainmuseum.org.

1 p.m. It’s Not Easy Being Green. Learn about a little creature with a big reputation. Join Ranger Nicki to uncover the secret life of a Big Cypress resident who must adapt to an ever-changing world. All ages. Located at Immokalee Library, 417 N. First St., Immokalee. Call 239-2527073 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

2 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day Crafts. Grades K-2. Make your own St. Patrick’s Day themed craft, or choose another craft. Located at South Regional Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Pkwy., Naples. Call 239-252-7542 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

18 SATURDAY

7 a.m. Immokalee Cattle Drive and Jamboree. Food, vendors, music, horse dancing, and alligator wrestling. Located at Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch, 1215 Roberts Ave. W., Immokalee. Call 239-252-2611 or check www.colliermuseums.com.

11 a.m. Tween Book Club. Ages 9-14. Snacks provided. Meet new friends and discuss great books. Bring a book you love to talk about. Creative writing activities and brain puzzles. Located at Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples. Call 239-252-7370 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

1:30 p.m. Pups ‘n’ Books. Read to a dog or just pet one. All ages. Located at Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-2527369.

21 TUESDAY

4 p.m. Lego Crew. Share ideas, be creative, and have fun. Bricks provided. Ages 5-13. Located at South Regional Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Pkwy., Naples. Call 239-252-7542 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

6 p.m. Teen Game Night. Ages 12-17. Board games and video games: Super Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, Uno, Clue, and more. Registration not required. Located at South County Library, 21100 Three Oaks Pkwy., Estero. Call 239-533-4400 or check www.leegov.com/library.

23 THURSDAY

3:30 p.m. Art for Kids. Make a special art project with artist Ms. Palina. Registration required. Located at Golden Gate Library, 2432 Lucerne Rd., Naples. Call 239-252-4549 or check www. collierlibrary.org.

25 SATURDAY

8 a.m. Murdo Smith Adaptive Sailing Regatta. Ages 10+. A fun-filled day of sailing and racing for our special needs population. T-shirt, dinner, and prize for all participants. Located at Sugden Regional Park, 4284 Avalon Dr., Naples. Call 239919-9547 or check www.collierparks.com.

9 a.m. Youth Pride Conference. Free. Created by and for LGBTQ youth, grades 6-12. Breakfast and lunch provided. Sponsored by GLSEN Collier County. Located at 5200 Crayton Rd., Naples. Check www.ypcnaples.com.

10 a.m. Lego & Moontoy Fun. Ages 3-11. Let imaginations run wild while stimulating coordination, logic, and creativity. Located at Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Ave., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-5135.

2 p.m. Saturday Movie Matinee – Chestnut: Hero of Central Park. Rated G. Registration required. Located at Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Ave., Naples. Call 239-252-5135 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

27 MONDAY

8 a.m. School’s Out Day. Nature-based day program features fun, interactive, hands-on activities for kids. Located at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, 375 Sanctuary Rd. W., Naples. Call 239-348-9151, email deborah.lotter@audubon.org, or check https://corkscrew.audubon.org.

28 TUESDAY

10 a.m. Exploration Insect! Ages 6-11. Learn how insects move from crawling vertically to flying high in the sky through hands-up experiments. Located at Gore Nature Education Center,

30 THURSDAY

10:30 a.m. Family Story Time. Birth to 5 years and caregivers. Stories, music, movement, and activities. Located at Bonita Springs Library, 10560 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. Call 239533-4860 or check www.leegov.com/library.

31 FRIDAY

6 p.m. Family Easter Egg Hunt. Fun for the whole family. Crafts, music, food, games, prizes, and, of course, an egg hunt. $5 entrance fee per family (up to five individuals), cash at the door. Located at Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park, 810 39th Ave. NE., Naples. Check www.collierparks.com or call 239252-4900.

Reuben A.

Doupé

OUR MARITAL AND FAMILY LAW TEAM

Sarah Martin Oquendo

Dale W. Klaus

Putting Holocaust Education to the Test

By Andrea Stetson

How antisemitic acts against children and adults in our community are on the rise, despite state-mandated Holocaust history curriculum in our schools

Bailey Reum is brave now. She’s learned to be confident when she faces adversity. But it wasn’t always that way for the Collier County high school senior. And it’s not that way for many other Jewish children and teenagers facing an increasing wave of antisemitism.

“In sixth grade I was walking to my world history class and a group of boys would yell ‘Heil Hitler!’ and throw up their arms,” Bailey described. “In eighth grade a couple of boys would throw coins at me. I would try to ignore it. If I picked up the coins they would say, ‘Of course the Jew is picking up a penny’.”

These types of incidents are becoming more common in Southwest Florida, the state, and the nation because it is being viewed as more acceptable.

“It’s the political climate in the world that’s changed. We see it everywhere,” said Susan Suarez, president and CEO of the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center in Naples.

“The key as parents and educators is that we need to tell kids not to become numb to [antisemitism] just because they see it a lot,” Suarez advised. “It is still not acceptable; we still need to stand up against it. It gets worse and worse and worse if we let hatred go unchecked.”

Silence in the face of evil

Antisemitism impacts millions of Jews in the U.S. and around the globe. The Anti-Defamation League in New York has been tracking the increase in incidents against the Jewish population. Its 2021 report showed an all-time high of 2,717 occurrences in the United States for the year, an average of more than seven incidents of assault, harassment, and vandalism each day – a 34% increase from previous years.

Some of the surge can be attributed to the influence of public figures such as rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, who has posted antisemitic comments and criticism about Black Lives Matter on his social media accounts, leading many of his followers to embrace antisemitism and other prejudices.

Rabbi Adam Miller of Temple Shalom in Naples is very concerned about the uptick in antisemitic incidents.

“Unfortunately we are seeing and hearing of this happening more and more,” Miller said. “This is something occurring not just here in Southwest Florida, but around the country. There is the rapid rise in antisemitism. There was a 50% rise in the last year. That is a scary number, and we are only seeing that go up. Nationally, unfortunately, more and more people are finding their voice and speaking hate. When groups of hate start speaking out, they start identifying minority groups and it often starts with Jews.”

The rabbi spoke about a recent incidence where antisemitic flyers were left on people’s front lawns. He also recently met with parents of local children who were experiencing this hatred.

“In our schools it is even more disheartening. Kids are having pennies thrown at them, swastikas drawn on their books and arms, and students are being told by their peers

that they [still] like Kanye. It makes Jewish students feel so uncomfortable in their own skin. We had an incident last year with the meme of a student’s face put over a person in a concentration camp with the caption ‘my first day of camp wish me luck’. These are heartbreaking incidents and this is scary. And the lack of response has been really painful. It is silence in the face of evil.”

Another local girl spoke about how someone drew a swastika on her arm with a Sharpie, how kids gave her the Nazi salute, and how friends would tag her in stories supporting Kanye. Someone sang the Nazi anthem to her and another friend brought her a Hitler game, thinking it would be funny.

Miller pointed out that the statistics showing increases in incidents don’t tell the complete story because so many cases of antisemitism are unreported.

“We are aware that not a lot is being reported,” he noted. “In this world where students’ reputations can so quickly go up and down, we know that not all students are comfortable reporting these things. We are trying to educate our kids to speak out, but that is not going to change until they see their peers speaking out with them. It is very hard to be the lone voice.”

The reluctance of students to report these incidences is a major challenge for schools, according to Steve McFadden, Collier County Public Schools coordinator of school counseling for K-8. “We need to establish a culture of kindness so there are no bystanders,” he said. “So many times students stand on the sides or even take out their cell phones. They should go report it and tell a teacher.”

Even the victims of antisemitism are reluctant to tell an adult about the harassment. It wasn’t until her first year of high school, after four years of incidents, that Bailey finally told her mother.

“A boy messaged me about putting Christian baby blood in my matzo, and there were constant Holocaust jokes. It got to the point where I couldn’t take it anymore,” Bailey recalled. “I called my mom from class, and she was so upset. We went to the principal’s office, and the issue was resolved, and it hasn’t been a problem since. But I was ostracized because some kids got in trouble.”

Bailey said that it is hard for students to stand up for themselves or for someone around them who is being harassed.

“There is that desire to fit in, especially when there are not a lot of other Jews at your school,” Bailey explained. “It’s not cool to tell on other kids. There is not a social setting where you feel cool advocating for yourself.”

Bailey has advice for students on the receiving end of harmful comments.

“Definitely tell your parents,” she stressed. “I didn’t tell my mom until it was too much for me, and that was after going through it for about four years. It can be hard to have the confidence to tell someone to stop, but you should. If you are worried about fitting in or having friends, it is important continued on next page

What Does the Florida Department of Education Require?

Since 1994, Florida public schools have been required to teach the history of the Holocaust. The requirement was revised in 2020, and Holocaust education must now include instruction concerning antisemitism. School districts are required to report on Holocaust education instruction each year, and the Florida Department of Education must provide Holocaust education standards and a curriculum. In addition, the second week in November is now recognized as Holocaust Education Week in Florida.

Under Florida law, “the Holocaust is to be taught as a uniquely important event in modern history, emphasizing the systematic and statesponsored annihilation of European Jews, which distinguishes it from other genocides. Holocaust instruction should include the policy, definition and historical and current examples of antisemitism, and the prevention of antisemitism.”

The resources provided to educators can be found at www.fldoe.org/holocausteducation. Some of the state recommended books are listed on facing page.

continued from previous page

to take a step back and realize these are not the people you want to be friends with. Kids are worried about snitching, but if someone is causing you harm it is not snitching when you are telling someone to stop.”

Modern threats

The popularity of social media also is bolstering this spread of hate. “Unfortunately the internet is a large culprit,” Miller stressed. “People can post anonymously. They do this without repercussions. Political leaders with messages of hate have emboldened those people. Doing those things only makes other people think it is ok to do those things.”

Many of the victims spoke about being targeted online, by derogatory memes and photos sent by classmates, or being tagged in comments on antisemitic posts by famous people.

Even if these comments are made outside of a school setting, the harasser can face consequences at their school, according to Rachel Dawes, Ph.D., CCPS director of student relations.

“Cyberbullying counts if it impacts a school day,” Dawes said. “If kids are cyberbullying and then are sitting in class the next day, it is hard to say it did not impact the school day.”

Bailey has adjusted her social media settings because

of harassment. “A lot of apps have filters which I use to stop people from making mean comments,” she said. She also made her social media accounts private so only her chosen friends can see her posts and post things to her.

What is being done

The American Jewish Committee says that blaming Jews has deep roots, and conspiracy theories abound during the world’s worst tragedies. Jews were falsely accused of poisoning wells in the 14th century in Europe causing the Black Death, for being capitalists behind communist revolutions, for being a hidden hand in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and for secretly plotting to take over the world. Some even call the Holocaust a hoax created by Jews to gain sympathy. The recent pandemic and slumping economy has once again prompted perpetrators to put blame on Jews.

In a world where some public figures are leading people down a path of hate, there are those trying to steer others to a path of compassion. The Holocaust Museum in Naples is working to use education to curtail antisemitic incidents. The museum brings guest speakers into many Collier County and some Lee County fifth grade classes, invites every eighth grade class for a free visit to the museum (and funds bus transportation), and will bring an authentic Holocaust-era boxcar or a pop-up display to middle and high schools.

“Students are learning about propaganda and how racism can spread, what prejudice and racism are, and what the Holocaust is,” Suarez explained. “But the museum personalizes it. What does that mean to students when you say 6 million Jews died? But you when say this is happened to this family, they can understand it better.”

At the museum students can view more than 1,000 original photographs and artifacts related to the Holocaust and World War II. They are displayed in chronological order from the rise of the Nazis to liberation to the Nuremberg trials. Exhibits around the modern museum include photos of concentration camps, written memories of survivors, prisoner uniforms, and other artifacts. The museum’s programs reach more than 15,000 students each year.

“With bullying and harassment who will you be, a bystander or an upstander?” Suarez asks them. “If you see someone throwing pennies at school will you laugh along or say, ‘Hey, that is not right’?”

Suarez hopes this education will not only dissuade bullies from their actions, but will turn bystanders into people who will stand up for the victims.

Bailey personally is involved in this education effort by working as a volunteer at the Holocaust Museum.

CCPS focuses on kindness to battle bullying that is manifested as antisemitic acts. Florida also has a statemandated curriculum that students must learn about the Holocaust Additional information about what Florida requires is detailed in the box on this page.

“The absolute number one bullying prevention is a

culture of kindness,” said McFadden. “If you can build a real kind culture, you should see little bullying in school. We do have [bullying], but it will be less prevalent and destructive. So we do a lot of that education. When it comes to bullying, we don’t have a cookie-cutter guidance program. When bullying is occurring in classrooms or throughout the building, we do lessons on it.”

McFadden said students also are taught the difference between bullying and mean or rude behavior. He said rude is being inconsiderate, but not on purpose, while mean is hurtful and on purpose, but not repeated, and bullying is intentional, repetitive, and leaves the victim feeling powerless.

“We try to differentiate so the kids truly know when it is bullying,” McFadden said. “We have made some growth. We are coming along, but we have a long way to go.”

Even with all the programs, incidents keep occurring, and local schools have programs in place to deal with that. Dawes says consequences for perpetrators can be a minimum of a one-day suspension in elementary school to a minimum of two days at the secondary level. But it can also become a teaching opportunity.

“It is teaching and re-teaching students the expectations by living, breathing, and speaking that language” of kindness, Dawes said.

One of the area’s growing success stories comes from ROCK (Roots of Compassion and Kindness), a program started in 2020 at Florida Gulf Coast University.

“Our goal is to teach compassion, kindness, and empathy throughout the region,” said Maria Roca, the program’s director. FGCU students are taught these traits, and they in turn go into schools in Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties to spread the word in grades one through five.

“Our focus is very nonpolitical,” Roca stressed. “We focus on how we need to be compassionate toward each other no matter what, and let other people know that we care about them and respect them.”

The group now partners with five schools, bringing hands-on lessons to the classrooms. ROCK helped Lee County libraries start kindness clubs, and holds a kindness festival on campus each year.

Is education enough?

Those experiencing and hearing about antisemitic incidents say more still needs to be done. Miller said a field trip and some lessons are not adequate. Students lost two years of visiting the Holocaust Museum during the pandemic. And he said that state mandates to teach about the Holocaust in school aren’t enough.

“A visit to the museum can be very powerful, but if the teacher does not prepare them for it and if there is no followup, they missed the opportunity to drive home the message from there,” he explained. “I am glad our students participate in that, and I wish more could. While Holocaust education is mandated by the state, there are no rules of what” exactly that entails.

Recommended Reading

Books on the Holocaust recommended by the Florida Department of Education

Lower Elementary

The Tattooed Torah by Marvell Ginsburg, Grades K-2

Brundibar by Tony Kushner, Grades K-3

Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust by Eve Bunting, Grades K-3

The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco, Grades 1-3

Upper Elementary

Benno and the Night of Broken Glass by Meg Wiviott, Grades 3-5

The Cats in Krasinski Square by Karen Hesse, Grades 3-6

Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levin, Grades 4-6

The Cat with the Yellow Star: Coming of Age in Terezin by Ela Stein-Weissberger and Susan Goldman Rubin, Grades 3-5

Middle School

Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust by Loïc Dauvillier, Grades 5-8

Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust by Doreen Rappaport, Grades 6-12

The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible ... On Schindler’s List by Leon Leyson, Grades 6-9

In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Gut Opdyke and Jennifer Armstrong, Grades 6-12

High School

The Complete Maus by Art Speigelman, Grades 8-12 On Both Sides of the Wall by Vladka Meed, Grades 9-12

Salvaged Pages by Alexandra Zapruder, Grades 8-12

Rywka’s Diary: The Writings of a Jewish Girl from the Lodz Ghetto by Rywka Lipszyc and Anita Friedman, Grades 7-12

Recommended by Neapolitan Family

Night by Elie Wiesel, Grades 8-12

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, Grades 6-12

Local Teen Is Making a Difference in the Lives of Middle Schoolers

children at Gargiulo Education Center in Naples, that person is 17-year-old Ashley Pimentel.

Ashley started coming to the afterschool center for migrant children when she was in kindergarten, and now, as a senior at Gulf Coast High School, she has become a mentor to the younger ones.

There’s the middle school tomboy who has had trouble fitting into a system where popularity can be based on the clothes you wear and the activities you take part in. There’s the girl who went down the wrong path in middle school and ended up at Phoenix Naples, an alternative school for students recommended for expulsion. There also are the tweens who are struggling to get decent grades. Ashley is helping them all.

“They don’t like school, so I encourage them,” she explained. “It’s trying to lead them to do the right things, like hanging with the right people or getting their grades up. It is a lot like a roller coaster, but you just have to push forward and not give up.”

It’s tough to be a middle school student with all the pressure to fit in, the insecurities, and the rigor of school work. And while parents and teachers help guide

the way, it may not be enough. Sometimes a tween needs a mentor – someone who has recently traveled that path and can offer guidance. For many tweens and

Ashley thinks her words have more meaning than if they were coming from an adult. “I am a teenager,” she stressed. “An adult – they would be harder on them. I know what they are going through, and I see how I can help them.”

In this new monthly series, Andrea Stetson brings you the stories of children, tweens, and teens who are making a difference by being kind in Collier County.

Ashley Pimentel, 17, helps second grader Leslie Chacon with her homework.

Photo By Andrea Stetson.

The Busy Life of Orli Gottesman

How this Fort Myers teen balances ‘Yellowstone’, school, theater, tennis, and a part-time job

hen more than 12 million people saw Orli Gottesman make her debut appearance on the TV show “Yellowstone,” they had no idea that starring in the popular show is just a small part of the super busy schedule for the 17-year-old Southwest

She gets up at 5:30 each morning and drives herself to Cypress Lake High School in Fort Myers where she takes a challenging agenda of Advanced Placement and honors classes. After school, she is on to theater rehearsals, vocal lessons, or practice for the school’s varsity tennis team. She continues her exhaustive schedule many nights working as a hostess at a local restaurant to earn extra money.

“I love school,” Orli said. But she admits the schedule is not

“It’s really tricky,” she explained. “I have three electives–two theater and one vocal–so it is a balance between academics. I have AP Capstone Research and AP language and composition. I always had a knack for writing. Math

It’s hard enough for teenagers to excel in these challenging AP courses, but add in all the extracurricular activities and the time she misses when she heads to Montana to film “Yellowstone” and it seems almost impossible. But Orli loves it. Acting has been part of her life since she was four years old and her parents got her a modeling job. In those early days it was her parents who set things in motion, and Orli admits she didn’t always understand what

“I feel like I was put into the whole industry by my parents,” she explained. “I was too young to understand what that meant. One of my first gigs was like a pool party and I thought it was actually a pool party, not modeling clothes.”

The shift from parent-led to Orli-led changed when she saw herself in her first film a few years later.

“It was the first film I did with people my age. I loved the relationships I had with the people my age, and I thought ‘I can to this’,” Orli described. “This makes me so happy. I never want to stop doing it. Every time I see myself on television or see a camera or am on stage, it makes me realize I love being out there.”

“Yellowstone” is her biggest part so far. She joined the cast as Halie in the Dec. 11, 2022, episode where she plays a love interest to

Carter, played by actor Finn Little. Orli was in the background of some scenes the following week and had additional air time on the show in January.

“The whole experience of ‘Yellowstone’ was just crazy,” she admitted. “It was so different. I felt so much pressure just trying to live up to that standard. This is such a huge show, and I was so honored that they wanted me to play this person.”

She said the hardest part was being on the set with some big-name actors. The modern-day Western follows Kevin Costner’s character John Dutton and the rest of the Dutton family, who own the largest cattle ranch in Montana. The story features an ongoing drama with the family, developers, and the nearby national park and Broken Rock Indian Reservation.

“I was not nervous about the acting part of it,” she explained. “I was more nervous about the non-acting parts; about meeting people.”

She did enjoy bonding with Little, who is her age.

“Things are kind of awkward because that is how teenagers are,” Orli said. “But it was amazing working with him. He is so talented. We started talking about school, and we are both starting to get our driver’s licenses, so we talked about that. It does get easier.”

Before “Yellowstone” Orli modeled and did numerous television

commercials for Florida Power & Light, Commerce Bank, and Burger King. She played Ophelia in the 2016 movie “Astronaut Camp.” In 2017, Orli’s family moved to California when she was cast as Jessica Alba’s daughter in the TV show “LA’s Finest.” She spent four years in California before returning to her native Southwest Florida.

Orli knows the business is competitive. Actors go to countless auditions just to be lucky enough to get cast in one project.

“You really have to stay persistent,” she stressed. “I have done hundreds of auditions and I have only gotten X amount [of parts]. You have to know it is not personal. A lot of it is out of your control.”

While Orli loves theater, she says television is her ultimate goal. Yet she doesn’t want to study acting in college.

“College is something that I am contemplating,” she explained. “I could study business, or I could go to college and study photography or film or play writing. I don’t want to put all that money down to study something I am already pursuing.”

Orli said family is the secret to her success.

“I just got so lucky with the family that I have,” she stressed. “My sister and my parents – that was a tremendous thing that sparked my career. My parents supported it, and my teachers and taking classes and everybody I met along the way have been so helpful.”

“The whole experience of ‘Yellowstone’ was just crazy. I felt so much pressure just trying to live up to that standard. This is such a huge show, and I was so honored that they wanted me to play this person.”

—Orli Gottesman

By Rachel Newman

Teens Talk About Getting a Head Start on College

High school students in Collier and Lee counties are getting a jump on their college careers through the Accelerated Collegiate Experience program at Florida Gulf Coast University in Estero. Each year, about 200 juniors and seniors from high schools in the two counties participate in ACE, taking 12-16 credits alongside traditional college students (all for free, including textbooks and parking), join clubs, and even work on campus.

“It is worlds apart from the high school experience … I couldn’t even begin to describe how much better it is,” says Alex Smuda, a senior at Gulf Coast High School and second-year dual enrollment student.

Alex applied for ACE because of the opportunity to take advanced classes. By the end of his sophomore year in high school, he

had taken all of the math and science courses available at his high school.

In addition to taking on more challenging coursework, Alex has become involved in research projects at FGCU – an opportunity usually not available to the typical high school student, and one that is helping Alex home in on his college and career paths. “The communication with professors one-on-one has definitely helped me to see what sorts of things I enjoy doing,” he explained. “It’s hard to tell what I want to focus on right now, but it’s definitely pushed me in specific directions that I would not have gone anywhere else.”

Other ACE students agree that the program has allowed them to explore different college majors before leaving high school. Alana Cumberbatch, a senior at

Palmetto Ridge High School in Naples and second-year dual enrollment student, imagined herself as a journalist after taking a class called News Literacy. However, other courses helped her decide that wasn’t the path for her, and she now plans to major in history and is considering a career in law.

Ashlene Thomas, a senior at South Fort Myers High School and a second-year dual enrollment student, said that the opportunities available at FGCU already are preparing for her career in finance. “I’m always learning about [finance], soaking it up, meeting new people, and finding new opportunities,” she explained.

Help with the transition

The transition from the high school to the college experience can be challenging as students adjust to the increased workload and expectations of college classes while also experiencing the freedoms of a college student. The ACE program supports students with a variety of resources. “I didn’t know they’d be so hands-on in the first year, so that was really helpful,” said Ashlene. “They were kind of like a helping hand in the ACE class and always let us know that they were here for us.”

All ACE students are required to take a one-credit course their first semester that helps familiarize them with resources at the university as well as meet other dual enrollment students. That first semester, every student also is paired with a mentor, who checks in regularly to make sure they are adjusting well to college life.

Alana currently serves as a mentor, and finds that her mentees’ greatest challenges typically are time management and asking for help. Alana has “helped people curate a study schedule because it was overwhelming” academically at first for some students. There are also on-campus resources – such as free tutoring and academic coaching, and the Writing Center – that are available to all ACE students.

Why dual?

Students do dual enrollment for a variety of reasons. Alex wanted more challenging academics. Ashlene enrolled to save money and get college credit. ACE students who stay at FGCU after high school

Alana Cumberbatch (left) and Ashlene Thomas are dual enrollment students in the Accelerated Collegiate Experience program at Florida Gulf Coast University. Photo by Rachel Newman.

graduation can receive a scholarships from the ACE program. Ashlene is a National Merit finalist and also will receive the Bright Futures scholarship. She is considering attending law school, and is saving money on her undergraduate degree that can be put toward law school tuition.

Like Ashlene, Alana also was looking to reduce the cost of an undergraduate degree. “My mom’s philosophy is to get as much of your education paid for as possible,” she said.

AP versus dual enrollment

One of the most common questions students and parents ask about full-time dual enrollment is how it compares to AP level courses. The ACE students are unanimous in their preference for college coursework. “AP and AICE classes have a lot of busy work that doesn’t necessarily translate to what you’ll be doing in college,” Alana said.

Alex agreed. “AP is a lot more busy work that isn’t really useful to the student and learning the material. While some college classes do have busy work, it’s more focused on making sure that you’re understanding the material.”

Dual enrollment and AP courses both give Florida students’ weighted GPA a one-point boost, but ACE has many additional advantages, and receiving college credit isn’t dependent on one test at the end of the year. Florida state colleges and universities are required to accept all dual enrollment credit (with some restrictions), while private Florida schools and out-of-state institutions have individual policies on dual credit. Students with dual enrollment credit are still considered freshmen when they enter college, but can receive advanced standing for things like registration. FGCU does not award associate degrees to ACE students, unless they continue on at FGCU following high school graduation.

Maintaining that high school connection

While full-time dual enrollment students no longer take classes at their home high schools, they still are able to take advantage of some traditional high school activities, such as sports and clubs. Unfortunately, full-time dual enrollment students are not permitted to participate in high school music programs.

Alana is the captain of PRHS’s varsity girl’s basketball team. Driving to FGCU and back to Palmetto for practice every day has tested Alana’s time management skills, but she does not regret

More Information

For more information on the Accelerated Collegiate Experience program at Florida Gulf Coast University, visit www.fgcu.edu/admissionsandaid/ace.

Part-time and full-time dual enrollment programs are available at Florida Southwest State College. Visit www.fsw.edu/dualenrollment for more information.

Dual enrollment classes also are offered on Collier County high school campuses, and more information on these courses is available through your student’s high school guidance counselor.

juggling both basketball and FGCU. “It’s doable. Is it stressful? Yes, but it makes the experience interesting,” she explained.

“Basketball makes me feel like I’m still a part of the school, and it gives me a reason to still walk for graduation,” she said, “but I’m definitely glad that I’m not there full-time.”

The drawbacks

Being a dual enrollment student isn’t without its negatives. Most students must have a car to commute to campus, and few enjoy the drive, especially during season. Some students struggle to handle the new freedoms or the increased academic responsibilities. Others are sad to leave their high school career behind early.

Ashlene recommended that potential ACE students should “be comfortable being by yourself.” Students spend a lot of time commuting and studying, and a lot less time surrounded by their friends than in high school.

Just do it

When asked what advice he would give to prospective ACE students, Alex said, “Do it.” Ashlene and Alana agreed. All three said that dual enrollment has provided them with academic and career opportunities and connections, influenced their decisions on their major, and has given them a true college experience.

RACHEL NEWMAN is a senior at Barron Collier High School and a second-year ACE student at FGCU. She will be majoring in English and history at the College of Wooster in Ohio in the fall.

How to Connect With a Teen Who Is Never Home

Ifeel like I never see my 17-year-old twins anymore. School, sports, activities, work, and friends all call them away from home. I try to convince myself that their packed schedules help ease me into the transition of them going to college next year, but the truth remains – I miss spending time with them.

According to Maria Sanders, LSW, a clinical social worker and certified parent coach, my situation is, well, ordinary. “Doing your own thing is normal and healthy in those teen years but it is really difficult for us parents.”

She’s right. It is difficult. For me, and for many other parents. On the one hand, as teens shift toward adulthood and become more independent, we’re excited for them. “The major difference between the teen years and the tween years is the extra experiences that young people have. They’ve learned to stretch their wings and to succeed,” says Ken Ginsburg, M.D., the founding director of the Center for Parent and Teen Communication in Philadelphia and author of Congrats–You’re Having a Teen!: Strengthen Your Family and Raise a Good Person. “In addition to that, they have the ability to think differently.” In other words, as our children mature into adulthood, they form their own thoughts and opinions, which may not align with our ideas and make it more difficult for us to connect with our teens.

We want a deeper connection with our teens, but …

Our teens don’t have much time for us

Sanders says that once our children move into their teen years, they most likely have figured out who they are, and they’re capable of better conversations and potentially forming deeper connections with family members. It can be a real strain on the entire family when teens don’t have time to invest in those core relationships because of other commitments, like jobs,

friends, activities, and school. When our teens aren’t at home much anymore, it’s like a practice mourning period, according to Sanders. “We’re missing our teens – they’re out of the house, and there is a period of loss. There is a period of, ‘I see where this is going; they are going to leave soon.’”

We worry (a lot) that our teenagers are taking unnecessary risks

Now that our kids have grown more independent, they’re also taking more risks than they did as tweens. In 2020, an average of eight teens were killed in motor vehicle crashes every day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data like that supports the worry we feel when our teens drive cars or ride with friends.

We have lots to worry about with their growing independence. For example, we also worry about their access to drugs and alcohol, and having sex too. If our teenagers are sexually active, we worry about sexually

transmitted diseases and pregnancy. We may also worry about their friendships and romantic relationships, and whether they will be hurt emotionally or manipulated. We worry about a lot of things because, as Sanders says, “There are a lot more opportunities for teens to get together without adult supervision so drugs, alcohol, and sex come into play.”

Our teens pick a lot of fights with us

Teenagers are pros at testing our limits and pushing boundaries, which can sometimes lead to arguments when parents try to dictate what their teenagers can and cannot do. “When parents try to control their kids, it comes from a place of fear: ‘I’m afraid I’m going to lose my child.’ We want to clasp on as hard as we can to feel like we’re in control. But we can’t control our kids,” Sanders says.

Despite those challenges, we can still form deeper connections with our teens.

How to form deeper connections with our teens

Adolescents are moving toward becoming independent of their parents physically, emotionally, and cognitively, and yet they still need parent and family support as much as they did when they were younger. Here are four ways experts suggest we support teens.

1. Breathe

It can be really hard to stay centered and calm when our teens are determined to criticize us at every turn. Our first instinct might be to respond with anger, but Sanders says this will only cause more problems. “There’s a phrase called ‘no action in reaction.’ If we are having a reaction to something our kids did, let’s say your child comes home late. Then that’s not the time to act, because you are in a reactive mode. Don’t take any action. Instead, take a deep breath, a big pause, maybe sleep on it, and discuss it when there is a good time and you’re calmer,” Sanders says.

2. Be curious

If your teenager is having trouble with following limits, like not coming home in time for curfew or letting the car run out of gas, Sanders recommends using Dr. Ross Green’s method of collaborative problem solving, where parents and kids work together to solve problems within their relationship.

Sanders offers an example of how this might work when your teen is struggling with coming home on time for a curfew:

Parent: “It seems like you’ve had a difficult time getting home at curfew. Help me understand what’s going on.”

Teenager: “Nobody starts to hang out until nine o’clock. So if I have to be home at 10 o’clock, I only get an hour with my friends.”

Parent: “Ok, that’s good information. What’s important to me is that you do get home, because I’m concerned about your safety. After 10 p.m., things start to get sketchy. So I’m wondering what ideas you have so you can still hang out with your friends and make it home on time.”

Sanders explains, “It’s not just the parent dictating what the consequences are. It’s the parent and the child having their concerns put out on the table and figuring out a solution that works for everybody.”

Ginsburg agrees with Sanders. “Your ultimate goal with your teenager is to have a relationship that lasts for decades after they’ve left your house. If they are struggling to become independent and you become very controlling, they will push you away.”

He also stresses the importance of communicating that we respect them. “When we tell kids what to do based on our experience, kids are hearing the message, ‘I don’t think you’re capable of figuring this out on your own.’” Ginsburg suggests instead that we be curious and ask questions about how they can solve problems on their own. He reminds us, “When we ask them what they’re experiencing, and ask them what they think is going to happen, then we give them the opportunity to think things through.”

3. Create rituals and routines

Rituals and routines are a great way to connect with a teenager who is often not able to spend as much time with parents and siblings. For example, even though my teenagers didn’t need me to walk them to

the bus stop in the morning, I created this routine so that I could have extra time to connect with them.

“It’s important to find those family traditions that can be carried through to when they are older, so we’re able to have that connection,” Sanders says. She offers the example of her family’s annual summer camping trip, where they go screen-free because quality time together without their screens is good for developing adolescent brains and for family dynamics.

4. Know that you still matter to your teen

The teen years are full of incremental moves to separate from parents. For both parties, it’s an exciting time for personal growth; yet, those moves toward separation also can be scary and stressful.

Ginsburg reminds us, “There are a lot of myths out there about adolescence. One suggests that adolescents don’t care what adults think and don’t particularly like their parents. Know that definitively and without question: You matter to your teen.”

For more advice on parenting teens, visit neafamily.com and read Cheryl Maguire’s article “The Top Eight Questions Parents of Teens Google.” It’s packed full of honest answers and great resources where you can learn more about the challenges facing our teens and how we can best guide them.

The Community Comes Together at the Public Library

If you haven’t spent much time in public libraries over the past couple of decades, you may not be aware of the revolution quietly taking place inside those walls. No longer just a building with books and a quiet place to read, the public library has become a community hub where people gather for education and entertainment.

“We aren’t the ‘shushing’ librarians anymore,” explained Chloe Snider, marketing librarian with Collier County Public Library. “It’s more than just books – it’s a community center now,” Snider said.

This list of services that draw people to Collier libraries is long and impressive. Where else in Naples can you pick up a movie, find tax forms, listen to live music, learn about your ancestors, borrow an internet hot spot, read a magazine or newspaper, use a computer, and watch your kids get help with their homework or enjoy a petting zoo – all for free?

Programming

Collier libraries offer a wealth of programming year-round for kids, including storytimes. Snider said the best places to learn about new events are the library’s YouTube site and social media. You also can find a complete listing of library events

each month on the library website, and Neapolitan Family always includes many library events in our print (starting on page 14 in this issue) and online calendars.

Preparations are already underway for the libraries’ most popular event – the summer reading program. This year’s theme is “All Together Now.” Snider estimated last year’s participation at approximately 1,000. Both kids and adults can register, and then read books (including ebooks and audiobooks) for a chance to win prizes. The library branches also offer special summer reading program events from June to August.

Teen outreach is a focus of Collier libraries. Snider said that each branch has a room dedicated to teens, and there are programs specifically designed for teens, usually involving snacks for hungry middle and high schoolers. She noted that the Naples Regional and Golden Gate branches in particular are popular spots after school for older kids. “We love to be that resource for teens,” she said.

The Golden Gate and Immokalee branches introduced homework centers last fall that provide academic assistance from current and former Collier County Public Schools teachers. The program is free for

all local K-12 students (not only CCPS students), and registration is not required.

Everything else

Some of the busiest programs at Collier libraries are targeted at adults. Snider noted that the Book-a-Librarian feature is quickly becoming a favorite among library patrons. You can book an hour with a librarian, and receive help with research, utilizing the library’s e-resources, or instruction in basic computer skills. E-resources available include: ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, music, movies, television shows, and more.

You also can research your family history at the Naples Regional branch, in its Genealogy Room, which is staffed by volunteers from the Genealogical Society of Collier County.

The libraries also offer: live concerts, book clubs, educational talks, internet hot spots (borrow for one week); free tickets to the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (with limitations), puzzles, play-aways for kids (tablets loaded with educational games), free access to Mango (a language learning app), beach sticker pick-up (only at Naples Regional and Marco Island branches), and even tax forms. While you

can pick up tax forms at the library, the librarians do not provide tax advice. They will, however, point you toward resources where you can find the help you need.

Services for the homebound

During the pandemic, the library canceled on-site programming, but continued to serve the community with curbside service for books and movies. Now that operations are back to normal, the librarians want to welcome everyone back to the library.

“We are trying to get the word out that it’s ok to come back in,” said Snider.

For anyone who is unable to physically return to the library, CCPL continues to offer some virtual programming, including a weekly storytime and a virtual book club.

The Mail-A-Book service also is available to individuals who are homebound. Books, audiobooks, DVDs, and CDs are mailed to their homes and back to the library, and the postage is paid by Friends of the Library. The form to qualify is found on the library website, or you can call any branch and ask for more information.

How to get it all

To get your library card, visit any branch with proof of Collier residency, such as your driver’s license, voter registration, or a bill showing your address. The card is good for three years. Collier library card holders may access the Lee County library system, by asking for a sticker at any Collier branch, and then presenting their Collier library card bearing that sticker at any Lee County branch. Visit www.collierlibrary.org.

Naples School of Irish Dance

Drop-in Mini Summer Camp!

June 20-Aug. 5, 9 am to 12 pm, Monday-Friday

Registration is Now Open!

Ages 7+, $20 per day. Pre-registration required

Naples Irish Dance Company

Registration for Our Annual Workshop is Open!

Registration is Open, Ages 7+

June 1-30, Ages 7+, Some Experience Necessary

Some Experience Necessary

Fall Classes for Ages 7+ Start August 15

Registration is Open!

Naples Irish Dance Preschool Program

Registration is Open!

Jump'n Jig Class for Ages 4-6

Registration for August is Open!

For Ages 4-6, Limited Availability

Limited Availability