Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/1139341
17 TheSouthShoreMagazine.com offered in the visual and performing arts, technology, health and wellness. Notre Dame Academy is one of very few schools offering "digital citizenship" as part of its curriculum. A technology specialist and guidance counselor teach students how to navigate the world on social media. The course considers online identities and asks the critical questions: How do you present yourself to the digital world? What are the effects of existing on social media? How do you navigate life online? The course guides students to recognize the impact the online world has on personal safety, self-esteem and friendships. Caring for others and social responsibility are hallmarks of the Notre Dame Academy experience. Serving others builds character and helps develop compassion. In addition to creating leadership programs and helping their local community, students integrate the tenet of service into their travels abroad. During a trip to Rome to attend a women's leadership conference, students took the time to work at a soup kitchen. In Costa Rica, Spanish language students participated in a Habitat for Humanity project. During a visit to Tanzania, students lived with host families and volunteered at a local school. Notre Dame Academy offers many other study-abroad programs in places such as France, the UK, Spain, China, Belize and Iceland. President Annemarie Lynch Kenneally notes that by "encouraging participation in a myriad of service opportunities, we cultivate compassion, caring and faith among our community – for one another and for the less fortunate." This focus on global perspectives and social justice helps students embrace the world beyond their community, even as they study here on the South Shore. Notre Dame Academy hosts students from China annually and the diverse curriculum exposes students to experiences and considerations beyond their immediate borders. Character and confidence building can be seen in every aspect of Notre Dame Academy, from its sports to co-curricular activities to summer camps. NDA teams compete at the highest level in interscholastic athletics, but each program places character above "winning at any cost." Over the years, NDA has won 34 state championships, but is most proud of earning the Neil Singelais award, which recognizes both a high winning percentage as well as admirable sportsmanship. Students also participate in co-curricular activities such as debate club, anime club, Model United Nations, ski club, Teens Acting for Social Justice and the performing and studio arts. At Notre Dame Academy's Summer@NDA camps, which are open to non-NDA students, young women can pursue their passions in athletics, drama, instrumental music, STEM, robotics, medical surgical techniques, crime scene investigation techniques and more.