What makes North Shore, North Shore? In this reflective episode of The Raider Ramble, host and lifelong Raider Mullery Doar ’06 explores the stories, rituals and rhythms that bind generations of students together. From the joy of buddy day to Morning Ex, these traditions form the heartbeat of our community.

We hear from current students about the moments that make them feel like they truly belong, then travel back in time with one of our oldest living alums, Louise Noll ’40, who reminds us why these traditions began in the first place. Finally, we turn to longtime lower school teacher David Green, who reflects on how traditions evolve while keeping our shared values alive.

Tradition isn’t just something we do — it’s something we feel. A connection to the past. A celebration of the present. A promise to the future.

We’re kicking off Season 3 of the Raider Ramble with a very special guest: Patricia Ostrom Kohnen ’60, this year’s Francis R. Stanton ’27 Alumni Recognition award recipient.

A pioneer in STEM at a time when few women pursued such careers, Pat built a remarkable 25-year career with Chevron after early work at Procter & Gamble and in education. Alongside her professional achievements, she has dedicated her life to service — leading in organizations like the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, and her local school board — while continuing to embody North Shore’s motto, “Live and Serve.”

In this conversation with host Dr. Collins, Pat reflects on her North Shore Country Day experience, the changing landscape for women in STEM, and the lessons of resilience, adaptability, and community that have guided her throughout her life.

Join us for an inspiring episode that celebrates Pat’s legacy of curiosity, leadership, and service — qualities that continue to strengthen the North Shore community and beyond.

In this episode of The Raider Ramble, hosts Diana Flemma and Sarah Levi offer insightful guidance for parents navigating the summer months with their teenage and college-aged children. As licensed mental health professionals and seasoned parents themselves, Diana and Sarah explore how summer can be a powerful season for reflection, independence-building, and emotional resilience. They break the season into three key phases — the beginning, middle, and end — and walk parents through practical tools for helping teens decompress, grow, and transition with greater confidence.

Top Takeaways for Parents:

• Decompression is crucial: Teens need time to rest and recalibrate after a demanding school year — this isn't laziness, it's recovery.
• Set expectations collaboratively: Hold a family meeting after a short decompression period to discuss curfews, chores, and summer plans.
• Break the summer into phases: Tackle expectations and goals in smaller time chunks, revisiting and adjusting as needed.
• Use the driver’s license analogy: Building life skills requires guidance, practice, and gradually increasing independence.
• Prioritize communication and feedback: Encourage your teen’s voice in decision-making to foster ownership and self-confidence.
• Support real-world skill-building: Summer is ideal for practicing budgeting, healthcare management, and other adult responsibilities.
• Focus on strengths, not just struggles: Highlight what your teen does well to build motivation and resilience.
• Practice emotional regulation: Expect emotional ups and downs, especially near summer’s end — your calm presence matters.
• Reinforce self-care routines: Help teens keep sleep, exercise, and emotional regulation strategies consistent as school approaches.
• Plan for continued connection: Work with your teen to develop a communication and support plan for when they return to school or college.

LINKS
Sarah H. Levi, PsyD
www.drsarahlevi.com

Diana Flemma, MA, LCPC
www.dianaflemmacounseling.com

LIVE EVENT
Launch With Confidence: Successfully Guide Your Teen Into the Post-High School Years

Feeling unsure about how to support your teen as they prepare for life after high school? You’re not alone. Join therapists and parents Diana Flemma, MA, and Sarah H. Levi, PsyD, who bring 45+ years of combined experience with high school and college students and their families, for a one-hour conversation to help you feel more confident, prepared, and connected during this major transition. You’ll leave with practical tools, new insights, and a sense of community with other parents navigating the same challenges.

Designed for parents of high schoolers—including rising 9th graders and recent grads.

Upcoming Dates
📍 Wednesday, June 11 | 1:30 p.m. — North Shore Country Day
📍 Wednesday, August 13 | 1:30 p.m. — Winnetka Public Library
📍 Wednesday, August 13 | 7:00 p.m. — Winnetka Public Library

In this episode of Raider Ramble, Montse Lusarreta, Lower School Counselor, and Courtney Wilson, Middle School Counselor, are joined by this year's Harold Hines Visiting Fellow, Dr. Ethan Kross. Renowned as a leading expert on emotional regulation, Dr. Kross delves into the science of emotions in his latest book, "Shift: Managing Your Emotions So They Don’t Manage You." Drawing from his international bestseller, "Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters, and How to Harness It," he offers practical strategies to empower us to manage our emotions effectively. Tune in as we explore the invaluable insights shared by Dr. Kross and learn how we can harness the power of our emotions to enhance our well-being.

Top Takeaways for Parents:

• Emotions and Proportions: All emotions are useful when experienced in the right proportions
• Emotional Regulation: Avoid letting negative emotions last too long or be triggered too intensely
• Personalized Tools: Different tools work for different people in different situations
• Self-Experimentation: Familiarize yourself with available tools and start self-experimenting to find what works for you
• Sharing Knowledge: Share the tools with others to help manage emotions effectively
• Accessible Tools: Utilize simple and accessible tools such as music, sensory experiences, and physical activities like pushups
• Simple vs. Complex: Learning about tools is simple, but mastering emotional regulation is a challenge
• Toolbox Approach: Reach for certain tools when emotions are triggered and experiment with new ways to manage emotions
• Adaptability: Use different tools in different situations, such as the ABC game for distraction in public and five senses for distraction at home
• Continuous Practice: Managing emotions is a continuous process that requires effort and practice, similar to physical fitness

LINKS
Shift: Managing Your Emotions — So They Don’t Manage You
www.ethankross.com

Family Action Network (FAN)
www.familyactionnetwork.net

In this episode of Raider Ramble, Robyn Schuster, President of the North Shore Country Day Parents’ Association, and Rachel Sun, Assistant Head of Middle School, discuss the importance of the parent-student-teacher partnership in supporting students through the challenges of middle school. They delve into the role of advisors, goal-setting, reflection, and navigating social dynamics to help students grow and become more independent.

Top Ten Takeaways for Parents:

• Collaborative relationship between parents, students, and teachers is key to supporting students socially, academically, and emotionally.
• Advisors serve as the main point of contact for students and parents, providing guidance and advocacy.
• Middle school advisors help students plan ahead, manage workload, and communicate with teachers effectively.
• Advisors play a role in supporting both students and parents through the challenges of middle school transitions.
• Middle school is a time for students to gain independence and self-sufficiency with the support of parents and advisors.
• Multi-year advisory groups benefit students by providing mentorship and guidance across different grade levels.
• Goal setting, reflection, and open sessions in advisory help students manage challenges and seek advice from peers.
• Parents can utilize their connection with advisors to address concerns and understand typical behavior from their middle schoolers.
• Advisors offer insights into social dynamics at school and help parents gain a fuller picture of their child's experiences.
• Effective communication and collaboration between parents and advisors are crucial for supporting students through middle school challenges.

LINKS
The Power of Advisory: Supporting Students Every Step of the Way
https://www.nscds.org/community/news/~board/nscd-news/post/the-power-of-advisory-supporting-students-every-step-of-the-way

In this episode of the Raider Ramble Podcast, hosts Hannah Chung and Gray Hulick from the Parents’ Association take a deep dive into the topic of parental burnout. From uncovering warning signs to emphasizing the crucial role of seeking support, they dig into the nitty-gritty details of managing the demands of parenting. Don't miss out on this exhilarating discussion that promises to enlighten, inspire and rejuvenate every parent out there!

Here are the key takeaways we have for you:

• Setting Boundaries: Learning to say no is key to managing burnout and prioritizing self-care.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Saying no becomes easier with time and practice, especially as responsibilities grow.
• Streamlined Schedules: Clearing your calendar improves time management and lowers stress levels.
• Self-Care Matters: Making time for personal activities supports mental and emotional well-being.
• Social Connections: Spending time with friends boosts mental health and sharpens cognitive abilities, particularly in older age.
• Enduring Friendships: Long-term social bonds have proven benefits for maintaining mental acuity.
• Personal Hobbies: Engaging in hobbies creative outlets reduces stress and fosters self-expression.
• Community Engagement: Participating in local events builds a sense of belonging and fulfillment.
• Finding Balance: Balancing social commitments with parenting responsibilities is vital for overall well-being.

LINKS
North Shore Country Day Parents' Association
https://www.nscds.org/community/parents

In this episode of the Raider Ramble Podcast, we peek behind the curtains of North Shore Country Day, exploring stories that connect the past with the present. Host Mullery Doar guides listeners through the lesser-known narratives of our school's auditorium and gymnasium — places where the imprint of notable individuals can still be felt.

On this episode of the Raider Ramble Podcast, Head of School Tom Flemma has an in-depth conversation with Dr. David Yeager about his groundbreaking book, "10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People." Discover key insights and strategies for encouraging and inspiring young individuals in this engaging chat.

Here are the key takeaways we have for you:

• Mentor Mindset: Great leaders in various fields employ a "mentor mindset," maintaining high standards while providing the necessary support for young people to meet these standards.
• Enforcer vs. Protector Mindset: Common alternative approaches are the "enforcer mindset" (high standards, low support) and the "protector mindset" (low standards, high support), both of which are less effective than the mentor mindset.
• High Standards, High Support: The optimal approach combines high expectations with ample support, challenging the binary choice between being authoritarian or overly lenient.
• Adolescent Capability: Contrary to popular misconceptions of the adolescent brain as hormonally compromised, young people are capable of making excellent decisions when properly motivated and framed.
• Societal View on Adolescents: Society often undervalues adolescents, viewing them as problematic, which influences how adults interact with them.
• Status and Respect as Motivators: Adolescents are highly sensitive to their social standing and respect, which can be leveraged positively to encourage desirable behaviors.
• Avoiding "Groansplaining": Communicating in a way that respects adolescents' need for respect and status, avoiding condescending explanations, is crucial.
• Reframing for Respect and Status: Behavior that adults desire from adolescents should be framed in a way that aligns with their deep-seated need for respect and status.
• Encouraging Agency: While not advocating for a lack of structure, it's important to find ways to enable adolescents to have a sense of agency, helping them feel pride and accomplishment from their own actions.
• Balance in Authority: Effective parenting or leadership involves a balance where young people feel empowered but within a framework where adults still guide and set boundaries.

LINKS
10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/10-to-25/David-Yeager/9781668023884

FAN (Family Action Network)
https://www.familyactionnetwork.net

Tune into this insightful edition of the Raider Ramble Podcast, where Kristen Kaczynski and Matthew Mettille from North Shore Country Day's College Counseling Office discuss the evolving landscape of the college admissions process. Our special guest, Mac Devereux '23, now a student at McGill University, joins the duo to share how expert college counseling played a pivotal role in transforming his college dreams into reality, aiding in his self-discovery and decision-making process.

This episode is an essential listen for anyone navigating the complexities of college admissions, offering practical advice and insights on leveraging counseling services for success. Join us to gain a comprehensive perspective on preparing for college, direct from experts and those who've successfully navigated the path.

Here are the key takeaways we have for you:

• The college application process has become both more complex and simpler, with over a thousand colleges on the Common Application.
• Simplification of applications, such as waiving fees and eliminating essays, makes it harder for students to narrow down choices, leading to a longer list of schools.
• The process creates uncertainty and a lack of control for students and perplexity for parents due to rapid changes.
• Students now apply to a larger number of colleges, often around 10 to 12 compared to about five in the past.
• The cost of higher education has skyrocketed, significantly affecting family finances and student loan debt.
• There is an increase in students seeking merit scholarships and considering public universities as cost-effective options.
• North Shore has dedicated resources to college counseling, providing personalized support and unique perspectives to students.
• The small student-to-counselor ratio allows for more individualized attention and a tailored program to meet each student's needs.
• Signature programs like the "bus of fun" for college visits and a boot camp for rising seniors enhance the college prep experience.

LINKS
NSCD College Counseling
https://www.nscds.org/academics/college-counseling

Juniors Get a Taste of College Life During Annual “Bus O’ Fun” Trip
https://www.nscds.org/community/news/~board/nscd-news/post/juniors-get-a-taste-of-college-life-during-annual-bus-o-fun-trip

5 Things Every Family Should Know As They Begin the College Search Process
https://www.nscds.org/community/news/~board/nscd-news/post/five-things-every-family-should-know-as-they-begin-the-college-search-process

In the season finale of the Raider Ramble, five of our eight Lifers join us to reflect on their journey at NSCD. They've grown alongside one another from their earliest days to their senior year, each step forging their Raider identity. As they share cherished memories and offer advice to our younger students, you'll feel the strong pulse of our North Shore community. Tune in to this final episode of Season 1 to celebrate the end of an era and the inspiration that guides our collective path forward.

Music and Sound FX from Zapsplat.com