August at the NOCC

Hello and happy August!

In the newsletter below, we will cover:

Our August Board Member Spotlight

Information about our Youth Action Board

Details of our Lockbox Pickup dates and location

Insights on the benefits of limiting screen time

Tonya Potts, Board MemberPlease share a bit about your family:
My family is a fun crew including my husband, Trevor, and our two middle school boys. We live in Leonard and the boys attend Oxford schools where my husband is a teacher and coach. We adore our community and are grateful to raise up our kids here. Together, we love experiencing new places and spaces as well as traditions. We love baseball season and eat, sleep, and breathe football in the fall! They return the time by supporting my dance recitals every year (yes, I still dance!).
What is your profession?
I am a Physical Therapist.
How long have you been on the NOCC board?
About 8 months.
Why did you want to become involved with the NOCC?
I was impressed by the thoughtful way NOCC engages with the community. I knew it would be a great place and opportunity to share goodness and support our kids and families.
What is your favorite NOCC program?
Level Up Camp! My own kiddo was able to participate this summer. Such an amazing way to shake off the big transition between elementary and middle school and start having important and thoughtful conversations with our youth.
What is your favorite thing to do in the Lake Orion/Oxford area?
We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many great places, spaces, organizations, and events in our area. My favorite thing about Orion/Oxford is the combined events where the community comes out to shop, stroll, and celebrate, catching a Trolley ride between communities. Always a good time!

This summer, the Lake Orion and Oxford YAB groups got together to enjoy some ice cream and quality time!

Do you have a current or rising high schooler who’s interested in mental health, volunteering, or working to make their community a healthier place? The Youth Action Board might be right for them!

Throughout the school year, YAB members work together to create school-wide initiatives to promote a mentally healthy, substance-free environment. Members will meet new friends with common goals and help to plan super fun school activities!

If your student is interested in joining Youth Action Board, or just interested in learning more about us, we will have a table at both Oxford and Lake Orion registration in August! Stop by for more information.

The best way to stay up-to-date with the Youth Action Board is to follow us on Instagram! To follow the Lake Orion Page, please click here. To follow the Oxford Page, please click here.

Save the date!

It is important to be intentional about safe marijuana storage. From 5PM to 7PM on Thursday, August 14th, the NOCC will be distributing FREE marijuana/prescription medication lockboxes to interested Oxford residents at:

Oxford Fire Department, 96 N Washington St. Oxford, MI 48371.

This will be a drive-through event, and it will not be necessary to provide your name to receive a lockbox.

It is illegal to provide marijuana to anyone under the age of 21. Locking marijuana up helps reduce the risk of both youth and pet access. Protect it, protect them!

For more information, please visit: noccmi.org

“Experience, not information, is the key to emotional development.” -Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation

In today’s digital world, phones are a big part of how we express ourselves, as well as connect and communicate with others. For our young members of our community, technology isn’t only a big part of their world—it can easily become most of it. A healthy balance of phone usage, allowing time for real-life experiences and in-person connections, promotes mental health, better sleep, and academic performance.

Reducing screen time, especially social media, has been linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety. It can also help create opportunities for creativity, physical activity, and meaningful offline relationships. When students are feeling their best mentally, they are also better equipped to reach their goals academically. With fewer digital distractions, students are more likely to stay focused, engage in learning, and have positive interactions with peers and teachers.

A new school year is a great chance to create healthy boundaries and habits surrounding phone usage. Small shifts such as limiting screen time can go a long way in promoting the health and well-being of our youth, inside and outside of the classroom!

Statements regarding mental health and screen time reduction supported by:

-CDC National Center for Health Statistics Data Report Daily Screen Time Among Teenagers: United States, July 2021 – December 2023 Section 4
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db513.htm#section_4

-National Library of Medicine NCBI
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7012622/

-Visit www.nocc.org/mental-wellness for more information about mental health and preventative care.