This episode's guest isn't staff, she's a parent. Sabine's son Roman is now in seventh grade, but her Nysmith story started years earlier, as a new family walking in not knowing a single person. 
Why She Chose Nysmith
Sabine came to Nysmith with an outside perspective most parents don't have. As a psychologist, she'd known the school's reputation professionally long before she ever considered it for her own son. "Walking the halls and seeing it in person was unlike anything I ever expected," she said.
Roman started in third grade, and Sabine describes it as the best decision her family could have made. "He's happy, he loves it, I love it," she said. With graduation only two years away, she's already dreading it. "I'm actually really sad, because he graduates in two years. We don't have to, we could just go on the remedial plan if we have to."
Finding Her Place Through the PTO
Sabine didn't just enroll her son and step back. She became PTO president for several years and remains deeply involved today. "It's where I have my gang of friends," she said. "I love being involved and being able to volunteer as much as I do, maybe too much, I don't know."
Asked to name a favorite PTO event, she wouldn't commit to just one, mostly because she didn't want to upset any of the committees. Book Fair, Teacher and Staff Appreciation, Special Olympics, each has its champions. If pressed, though, she points to Grandparents Day. "It's quite amazing to see 400 grandparents here," she said. Her own mother and grandmother have both attended, watching three generations experience what Roman experiences in the classroom. "It was once in a lifetime."
Other favorites on her list: International Week, which brought in 85 different presenters last year celebrating the school's international community, and the staff appreciation event, where families cook and donate food for a dedicated celebration honoring teachers.
A Community Outside the Classroom, Too
Sabine's Nysmith life extends well past PTO meetings. She and a group of fellow parents and teachers have become regulars at mahjong, enough that she jokes it's become a bit of a shared obsession spreading through the community. Her son Roman and two friends even started an organization called Assisting Kids in Need, which hosts a mahjong fundraiser to support a nonprofit working with children in India.
She's also a self-described heavy coffee drinker who credits the campus coffee machines as one of her favorite parts of any given day. Vanilla latte, usually two or three a day.
Her Advice for New Families
Asked what she'd tell a brand-new Nysmith parent, Sabine didn't hesitate: get involved.
"The admissions team was incredible, they made us feel welcome," she said, remembering how nervous she was walking in without knowing anyone. "The biggest thing I'd say for new parents is get involved with anything, any PTO event, any day-of volunteer opportunity. Don't feel scared or intimidated. We're a happy bunch, so please come talk to us."
She's quick to point out that volunteering doesn't require a huge time commitment, and the community stays flexible if plans change last minute. Families often stay connected long after their children graduate, some even come back year after year just to help with Book Fair.
"There's always going to be something that works for your schedule," she said. "Don't be intimidated. Come say hello. You'll make new friends. It's wonderful."
Experience the Nysmith Difference
More stories from the Nysmith community are coming in future episodes of Doodle Caboodle. But nothing tells the story quite like seeing it in person. We invite you to schedule a tour and experience the Nysmith difference for yourself.
