As you know, the Tree of Possibilities is more than just a logo at the Strive Center. Each child has his own individual tree poster in the center and one that goes home where families can see their child's growth, in the form of a leaf sticker added for each new skill acquired.

In July, our learners acquired a total of 298 leaves. This is our highest monthly total this year!

This brings our total for 2021 to 1,392 leaves!

We are so proud of every little accomplishment and so grateful to be a part of your child's progress!

Effective September 7th, we will end our early release on Fridays for all children. With the lessening of some cleaning protocols, and our increased efficiency with the remaining cleaning and Friday rotation protocols, we will no longer need additional time for our team to complete these duties on Fridays. We are pleased to offer all of our children full sessions on Friday, beginning after Labor Day. Please continue to enjoy an early Friday release for the summer, and we'll remind all of our families as the date gets closer. September 10th will be the first full Friday with dismissal at 3:20.

Amy earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University. She earned her master's degree from Western Michigan University's highly acclaimed Applied Behavior Analysis program, studying under Dr. Richard Malott. Over her 20 year career, she has served as the lead psychologist for a residential neurobehavioral and medically complex children’s unit, and has served as the director for several Applied Behavior Analysis programs serving children with Autism in schools, homes, and clinical settings in southeast Michigan. Amy holds a Limited License in Psychology and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and participates in several behavior analytic groups, including the Association for Behavior Analysis International and the Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan. She has received extensive training in B.F. Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior and its application to children with autism and regularly attends professional conferences and workshops in order to bring the most current research into her treatment of children.

Amy has been at the Strive Center since its opening in 2015, and visits both centers regularly in her role as Executive Director. When she's not at work, she enjoys reading, painting her nails fun colors, and camping with her family.

There will not be a newsletter next week on August 13th, as Amy is also the Editor in Chief of the newsletter, and she will be on a camping trip. We'll catch up again on August 20th!

With the recent recommendations from the CDC that people continue to wear masks in schools this fall, we will continue to have adults in our buildings wear masks. This incudes staff and any visitors. We do have disposable masks available if you should come for an observation and need one.

Children's masks will continue to remain voluntary, so we ask that parents reach out to their BCBA if they would like their child to wear a mask or to practice wearing one. We will continue to have disposable masks available for children as well, if you choose to have your child wear one.

We are hiring for the role of ABA Therapist in Burton. If you know anyone who's great with kids and looking for an exciting opportunity, please send them our way.

Some important details:

• Minimum 60 college credits required
• Must be highly energetic, engaging, and enjoy children!
• Extensive training is provided, so it's not necessary to have specific experience in ABA
• Apply here: https://www.sc-centers.com/career-opportunities
• Resume and cover letter required

We'll keep listing these in the newsletter for a quick and easy spot for you to check them, and we'll send Remind messages each Thursday to help you keep up to date!

August 13th - SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY – Wear your Strive t shirt AND Wheels Day/Wheels Wash - kids can bring their own wheels and helmets, and we'll ride and wash our wheels!

August 20th - ALL ONE COLOR DAY – Dress in all one color of your choice AND What Melts in the Sun? Science Activity. This will be our FINAL FUN FRIDAY of the summer!