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North Shore Country Day began its 107th school year with one of its oldest and most beloved traditions — Opening Morning Ex. Students from junior kindergarten through grade 12 gathered in the auditorium for the all-school assembly, where Head of School Tom Flemma welcomed 119 new students and 80 new families, including 23 students who recently moved to the Chicago area and 19 who are joining siblings already at North Shore.

PHOTO GALLERY: FIRST WEEKS OF SCHOOL

As always, the highlight of the event was hearing from several of the 10 senior “lifers,” students who began their journey at North Shore in kindergarten. “Essays, tests and homework make it challenging sometimes—those are not the things I’m going to remember,” said Dixie Oelerich ’26, who has been at NSCD since junior kindergarten. “The thing that has left a lasting impact on me is the people here.”

Others echoed the importance of community. “The biggest takeaway of my last 13 years here has been the friendships and support from teachers without which I could never be standing up here today,” said Annie Ford ’26, who started in senior kindergarten. Nathan Smith ’26, who also started in SK, added, “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that this community is at its best when you lean into it. So my advice is simple. Take the time to appreciate the people around you … because one day you’ll look back and realize that’s what makes this place special.” 

The assembly concluded with the lifers ringing the school bell and raising the school flag to mark the official start of the year — a celebration of both tradition and new beginnings.