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

In Episode 5 of the Raider Ramble, NSCD alum Mullery Doar '06 explores the origin of the mysterious Ozzy Ball, a game that is deeply rooted in North Shore Country Day's lower school culture. Mullery, who is also director of admissions and financial aid, talks with students and teachers as she seeks to uncover its origin. Where did Ozzy come from? When did students start playing it? Come along for the journey as she attempts to unravel one of NSCD's greatest mysteries.

Sounds & Music and from Zapsplat.com

Get ready to take a deep dive into the world of social media with Episode 4 of the Raider Ramble podcast! In this episode, Liz Sherwood, a parent of four kids, leads a fascinating chat with Middle School Counselor Courtney Wilson and Information and Media Literacy Librarian Jared Branahl. Discover how parents can guide and shape their children's social media journeys, unlocking doors to self-discovery and growth.

Here are the key takeaways we have for you:

• It's important for parents to be thoughtful and intentional about how they approach social media with their children.
• Baby steps and creating structure can help children ease into using social media responsibly.
• Parents can use their own experiences with social media use to guide conversations with their children about its pros and cons.
• Discussions about the differences between online and face-to-face interactions can help children understand the implications of their online behavior. 
• Parents should help build their child's self-esteem before introducing social media to avoid using it solely for validation.
• Social media can provide a sense of community and help individuals realize they are not alone in their experiences.
• It is important to teach kids self-awareness and emotional regulation while interacting online.
• Parents and teachers play a crucial role in helping children create healthy structures and limitations around social media use.
• Balancing the benefits and drawbacks of social media can be a challenge for parents, and it is important to consider the long-term effects rather than short-term desires.

LINKS:

Quick Tips for Parents from the American Academy of Pediatrics
https://pedialliance.com/socialmediaguide

In this episode, Molly Oelerich '87 and Trina Sandshafer, Executive Vice President and Design Principal at Kahler Slater, discuss the Mac Gym renovation project at NSCD. They delve into the design process and highlight the importance of prioritizing the needs and ideas from various stakeholders to create a space that promotes the health and wellness of the students.

Here are the key takeaways we have for you:

• The design of the gym incorporates elements of openness and transparency to create a welcoming environment for total body wellness, aligning with North Shore Country Day's mission.
• Natural light is an important feature of the design, with full walls of glass connecting the interior spaces to the surrounding nature, providing a visually appealing atmosphere for wellness activities.
• The focus on functional fitness in the design ensures that the space caters to a wide range of users, including athletes and individuals of all ages, with features like indoor synthetic turf allowing for multiple uses.
• The concourse area of the gym is designed to be a social hub, where students, athletes, parents, and visitors can gather and connect, highlighting the importance of social connections in wellness.
• The design takes into account future use and incorporates flexibility, allowing the space to adapt to evolving health and wellness trends and ensuring that it can serve the needs of North Shore Country Day for years to come.

LINKS:

Healthy Future Campaign: Everything you need to know about the Mac Gym renovations
https://www.nscds.org/support/healthy-futures

From Dream to Reality: Mac Gym Renovation About to Begin
https://www.nscds.org/community/news/~board/nscd-news/post/from-dream-to-reality-mac-gym-renovation-about-to-begin

Kahler Slater: We Design to Enrich Life and Achieve Powerful Results
https://www.kahlerslater.com/

In this exciting episode, NSCD parents Arturo Garcia Middle, Upper School Computer Science Teacher, and Dr. Jessica Rappaport of Rappaport Pediatrics dive head first into a very complex, complicated and sometime sore subject of screen time. From navigating the educational benefits to understanding the potential risks, we are going to explore the ever-evolving landscape of technology and how it impacts our kids' well-being.

Here are the key takeaways we have for you:

• It is generally recommended to limit screen time for children during mealtime as it can interrupt their focus and engagement with food and social interaction.
• The amount of screen time should vary based on age and situation, with infants requiring the least amount of screen time and older children being able to have more, but with intentional limits.
• Families should find a balance between screen time at school and at home, considering the educational needs of children and also ensuring time for other activities. Multiple screens and multitasking should be minimized to maintain focus and productivity.
• Engaging in intentional screen time activities, such as watching movies or playing games together as a family, promotes bonding and prevents excessive individual screen usage.
• Monitoring safety and having conversations about online experiences can help children navigate potential risks and learn important lessons in internet safety.
• Video games can provide a social element, allowing children to connect with friends and engage in shared experiences, fostering social interaction and laughter.

Commons Sense Media
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/how-much-screen-time-is-ok-for-my-kids

American Academy of Pediatrics
https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/media-and-children/

Learn more about upper school Interim at NSCD
https://www.nscds.org/community/news/~board/nscd-news/post/interim-transforming-learning-through-hands-on-experiences

Have you ever found yourself questioning the right level of activity for your child? Are you intrigued by the signs of over-scheduling and the significance of balance in their lives?

In this exciting episode, join us as we deep dive into the world of scheduling for children. We'll unravel the delicate balance between the right level of activity and unscheduled time. Prepare yourself for an engaging discussion that sheds light on the signs of over-scheduling, while empowering parents to prioritize essential breaks for both themselves and their children. Remember, it's absolutely fine to discover what works best for your unique family dynamics and to focus on fostering your child's personal growth.

Here are the key takeaways we have for you:

• Embrace the differences that exist within each child and family, as the "right" level of activity varies for everyone.
• Release the pressure of exposing your child to every conceivable experience by second grade; there's simply no need to rush their growth.
• Dive into the motives behind your child's involvement in different activities. Is it something you've always done or wished to do? Are they genuinely passionate about it? Or do you simply need a little "me" time? Explore the reasons why you believe they should be exposed to new experiences and whether they are following the crowd.
• Acknowledge the significance of unscheduled time for fostering personal growth and unlocking creativity within your child.
• Consider the benefits of implementing an "off season" where your child can strike a good balance between being active participants and nurturing themselves through enrichment activities.

NSCD Activities

• North Shore Country Day’s Before- and After-School Programming: https://www.nscds.org/academics/later-raiders

At-Home Activities

• Days with Grey: https://www.instagram.com/dayswithgrey/?hl=en
• Busy Toddler: https://www.instagram.com/busytoddler/?hl=en