USM Head of School

The Value of Summer Reading

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 17:54:00 +0000

As our students receive their first assignments of the school year, I would like to reflect on a bit of homework our faculty and staff completed over the summer.

MS teacher Nicola De Torre reading her copy of "Drive."

Faculty and administrators convened in groups to discuss one of four thought-provoking

summer reading choices, including (titles linked to video synopsis):

"Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us," by Daniel H. Pink
"NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children," by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
"Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World," by Tony Wagner
"How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character," by Paul Tough

The titles address the complexities of student motivation and elicited spirited brainstorming on the topic leading into the 2013-2014 school year. I look forward to witnessing the fruits of those discussions in our classrooms and want to thank all of our faculty members for their contributions during those sessions.

Join us for two parent discussion groups

I’d also like to invite parents to join USM faculty and staff members for one of two upcoming book discussions .The parent group discussion for "Drive" and "NurtureShock" will be held on Wednesday, October 9 and a discussion for "Creating Innovators" and "How Children Succeed" will take place on Wednesday, November 6. Parents will be able to sign up electronically in the coming weeks.

New Beginnings on Opening Day

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 18:21:00 +0000

Coming back to school after a long summer break is similar to moving into a new house—surroundings are different, new routines have to be formed, and unknown faces are suddenly present. Amongst all the change, however, is the exciting prospect of a fresh start.

For me, starting a new school year is a chance to rethink and redesign. It’s a time to look forward to what lies ahead and to live in the anticipation of a fresh beginning. This year is especially exciting with the upcoming launch of our Strategic Plan and our ISACS reaccreditation.

That excitement was palpable at Wednesday’s Opening Day ceremony. Over 1,100 students—the highest enrollment in USM’s history—gathered with faculty, staff, parents, and friends to celebrate and kick-off the upcoming year together.

The ceremony began with members of the Class of 2014 processing from the School with some of our younger students in senior kindergarten. Carrying blue and gold balloons, they paraded across the traffic circle, the seniors surely proud to be in their final year at USM and the SK students enjoying time with their older peers.

Following welcome remarks from Dick Seesel, President of the Board of Trustees, and myself, our

Upper School Prefects took to the stage to reflect on this year’s Common Trust tenet, kindness. The students shared examples of when they had been treated with kindness and charged the audience to consciously embody this year’s tenet, both at USM and beyond.

After a spirited singing of our Alma Mater, Head of Middle School Pamela Nosbusch, USM’s most tenured faculty member, had the privilege of ringing the bell to conclude the ceremony and signify the official start of school.

At that moment, I couldn’t help but again think about how similar the first day of school is to moving into a new house. Students will start to get used to their new classrooms and schedules and those students new to our School will meet their classmates and teachers. Above all, we have the opportunity to begin anew in this wonderful USM community, a community that feels like a home.

A Summer Letter to Parents

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 16:53:00 +0000

Dear parents,

I write to you amazed that it could already be the middle of August and that the start of a new school year is just two weeks away. Summer always seems to be such a cherished time regardless of where you reside, but I have learned that it is even more special here in Wisconsin. This long-awaited respite from the winter blizzards and spring rains seems to be celebrated with an extra splash of gusto here in the Midwest. It is my hope that you have enjoyed special time with your families over the past several weeks. Perhaps you have traveled on vacation, or maybe you spent your time shuttling your children back and forth to camps or athletic leagues – a form of travel in and of itself! I believe all of this summer activity is meaningful and significant as it represents a pace of life, a deference from our normal school-year routines that provides the ability to reflect upon our children’s lives and our role as parents without the complications of school-year stresses.

For a Head of School, summer represents a shift in responsibilities and priorities. While preparation for the students’ return still remains a prominent part of my days, summer provides an opportunity to reflect with my colleagues on how things have gone for them, both personally and for us as a school, over the past year. Through individual conversations with my direct reports I have gained insight into the wide array of accomplishments that marked us as a school that takes the lead, not only in the greater Milwaukee area, but also across the state and nation. Academics continues to be the cornerstone of our successes – and therefore, our reputation. However, I believe we have made positive strides with the creation and refinement of programming that is foundational to our future growth in athletics and the arts as well.

In addition to analyzing what we have done well, we have reflected on how we have done it. As a result of the self-study analysis leading up to our Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) reaccreditation evaluation, a report emerged which supported something that our strategic planning consultant, Ian Symmonds, had said to us as we were beginning to plan for our future. The report underlined the significance of our important and extensive research about the quality of the people, programs, and facilities that are USM. Ian told us that USM is, quite simply, a “great school.” He went on to say that “there really isn’t much to fix, and because of this reality, we have now earned the right to think big and to plan strategically.” To this end, we have spent many hours collecting and reflecting on information gathered from conversations with members of our USM community, and have crafted a Strategic Plan that will launch USM on a trajectory that will not only make us unique in the Milwaukee area, but also amongst independent schools nationwide.

Our Strategic Plan, which will be announced this fall, represents a continuation of the academic excellence that has become synonymous with USM, but with much more attention paid to our position as a national and community leader in education. Global and experiential learning will become pillars of our strategy, incorporated into our curriculum beginning in the Preprimary grades and continuing on through to graduation. Every student will become even more actively engaged and involved in learning, through an educational program dedicated to assessment of strengths and interests, development of leadership traits, and instruction that is traditional in nature, yet cutting-edge in approach. Faculty will mentor their colleagues as they learn from each other, and will be encouraged to explore more innovative teaching techniques as they become even more adept at facilitating rather than directing learning.

We have, without a doubt, an incredibly dynamic and skilled faculty. Our Lower School teachers are passionate and accomplished at leading their young prodigies as the roots of their learning and educational careers are established during this all-important time. A well-defined and coordinated program guides our youngest students from early childhood to the preteen years, with just the right balance of independence and loving support. The Middle School experience continues the encouragement of an independent approach to learning and problem solving. Here, the goal is to make sure that all students are strong, capable, and academically and emotionally solid. As challenges are identified and strengths emerge, each and every child becomes an even more defined learner. Students are guided toward increased independence in preparation for the Upper School years, when the full impact of the USM experience will catapult them toward the inherent judgment of the college process and eventual university matriculation.

It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our students reach their own personal best and, perhaps even more importantly, that they are prepared for the complexities of a future filled with personal and professional challenges. We are blessed with this unique opportunity to encourage, mold, and instruct them each and every year, and we take this responsibility very seriously.

Over the past few weeks, I have taken advantage of some free time to do the kind of professional reading that is not often possible during the busy school year. Providing our children with the ability to learn and grow in an environment where they are nurtured and encouraged is not only influential to their ultimate capacity to become successful adults, but is also very necessary. The stories of successful adults who have survived desolate childhoods where they have not felt the support of family or have not been exposed to stimulating schooling are often celebrated in the news – but the truth is, these types of success stories are few and far between. These “against all odds” types of stories are glorified but rare, and of course none of us believe that raising our children is something best left to chance. So, we construct a path for our children that provides the necessary tools, skills, and emotional support required for our definition of success.

At times, we have all experienced the desire and temptation to prepare and create a path that is less bumpy for our child. What we actually need to focus on is preparing our children for the path. I strongly believe that this preparation must be fairly general and widely focused, as we cannot accurately predict what our children’s actual path will look like. Over the summer, I read “Lean In,” a book by Sheryl Sandberg which explores the challenges women face in finding the appropriate work/family balance. I also read “Quiet” by Susan Cain, which highlights the differences inherent to introverts and extroverts and explores how these differences impact learning. As I reflect on these readings, as well as many conversations from the past year, it becomes even more apparent to me that when we open our doors this fall, our focus needs to be not on a student body of 1,100-plus, but rather on the more than 1,100 individuals who have come together with us to explore and learn as they put together the vital pieces of childhood that will lead them to successful and happy adult lives. The growth of a child to adulthood is multilayered and complex, complete with so many facets of individuality that we must be cautious as parents or as a school to resist the temptation to define them collectively by applying benchmarks and standards that are imposed upon the entire group. Instead, we must recognize each individual’s emotional, physical, and academic capacities, maturity level, motivations, and energy at each stage of development.

Education and educational pedagogy have evolved significantly since I began my teaching career back in the early 1980’s. We have learned so much about the biology and chemistry of the brain, metacognition, and child psychology and development. We no longer adhere to the “one size fits all” theory of education, and continue to recognize that the needs of each and every child are different, unique, and important. We understand that our responsibility extends beyond pure academia and that we are equally obligated to support the moral and emotional development of our students. One of my favorite quotes attributed to an unknown author is as follows: “An education system isn’t worth a great deal if it teaches young people how to make a living but doesn’t teach them how to live.” It is to this end that we dedicate ourselves at University School of Milwaukee. Under the auspices of The Common Trust, we build our lessons both inside and outside of the classroom. We look forward to beginning a new school year with you as our partners. Together, we have the ability to be a powerful and positive force in your children’s lives.

Sincerely,

Laura J. Fuller

Head of School

Commencement 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:54:00 +0000

This is the season of diplomas, ceremonies, and speeches. Across the country, traditions like these mark the end of a young student’s journey through high school and the start of a new phase—the journey to college and to adulthood, self-discovery, and fulfillment.

This past Sunday, USM held its Upper School Commencement ceremony. Families, friends, and faculty and staff members gathered together in the Middle School gym to celebrate this momentous occasion and honor our 76 seniors as they transition to the next stage of their educational journey.

This class has worked extremely hard over the past four years—and it shows. I am happy to report that 100% of the Class of 2013 is matriculating to a college or university in the fall, and 92% of our seniors will be attending a first- or second-choice school. Considering the remarkably high level of competition in college admissions, I am very proud of these students and look forward to hearing about their future accomplishments.

As Commencement speaker Dr. Raj Chetty, would agree, a great deal of credit for our students’ achievement is owed to our outstanding faculty. In his speech, Chetty, Professor in the Economics Department at Harvard University and Valedictorian of USM’s Class of 1997, discussed his research measuring the correlation between quality teaching and students’ success in college and adulthood. Our teachers are our most valuable asset at USM and together they guide our students towards success in college and beyond. I know our students also concur—many of them have told me they consider their teachers to be the best aspect of USM.

Congratulations to the Class of 2013! I wish you a safe and fun summer and hope your first year of college is full of learning and excitement.

To read the Commencement addresses of Head of Upper School Roseann Lyons, our Valedictorian Kern Khanna, and myself, click here.

USM Community Reconnects at Tower Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:17:00 +0000

With Commencement just a few short days away, and summer weather finally here to stay (fingers crossed!), the excitement and energy within our hallways is at a fever pitch.

As we say goodbye, or more fittingly, see you later, to the Class of 2013 on Sunday, we warmly welcome another portion of our USM community this Thursday to reconnect at the final Tower Breakfast of the school year.

The inaugural Tower Breakfast Series, which began this past December, has brought the School community together to learn from our fantastic faculty and start the day together.

Thursday’s event will be the third and final installment of this year’s series, and will feature retired faculty member Mary “Peetie” Basson, who will discuss poetry, painting, and her experience as a Docent at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Previous gatherings featured Steve Bruemmer presenting one of his famous political cartoon presentations, and a teaching lesson on the Federal Reserve from John “J.S.” Stephens.

Many of us, much like our graduating seniors, leave the School for a time, but never truly leave our wonderful USM community. I look forward to the presentation, and encourage you to start your day with us this Thursday in Mellowes Hall.

The Tower Breakfast will be held from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 23 in Mellowes Hall, and is open to all members of the USM community. Complimentary breakfast will be served, and the presentation will begin promptly at 7:45 a.m. RSVP by email at alumni@usmk12.org or call 414.540.3337.

Exciting Happenings at our Ice Rink

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:49:00 +0000

USM’s Polly and Henry Uihlein Ice Arena has been a very busy place over the past week! Last weekend, Rummage at the Rink, an important Parents’ Association fundraiser, set records for both its Saturday attendance (1,448 people) and, more importantly, for its net revenue, which came in at an amazing $72,307.47!

In addition to the fundraising component, the event is a great example of how USM gives back to the greater Milwaukee community, with all remaining items left after the bag sale on Sunday (which I understand had just as many people came through the door for) being donated to various local charities to support their efforts. This is truly an amazing event put on by our PA, and is a great example of our USM community coming together and donating their time and effort – and treasures! – for a great cause.

However, no sooner than the Rummage ended on Sunday, preparations began for a major project in the rink, the replacement of the current floor and dasher board system. The rink, home to not only our USM teams but also the Milwaukee Winter Club hockey programs, was built in 1985, but the refrigeration system that allows for the ice surface was constructed with existing equipment, owned by the School, which was manufactured in 1962.

There is no question that the Arena and its ice surface are significant resources for USM, and concern over the potential for the system to fail, which was identified in a 2011 ice system evaluation study, was too great to risk. In an effort to not interrupt any scheduling needs, work on the Arena – including demolition and removal of concrete and cooling tubes, the addition of heat mats for year-round usage, new insulation, cooling tubes, and concrete slab, and work on the dasher boards and protective glass and netting – began this past Monday, as soon as the Rummage was cleared out.

This project is expected to be completed by mid-July – but stay tuned, as we hope to announce more exciting Arena news soon. We are excited for these enhancements for our facility, which has hosted numerous figure skating, open skating, and youth and adult hockey events, in addition to being the home of our USM Wildcat boys and girls and Milwaukee Winter Club hockey programs. Anyone who is interested in following the progress of the work can view a time-lapse video from this past week below, and we hope to also have a live video feed of the rink work available on the USM website in the coming weeks.

History Comes to Life During D.C. Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:16:00 +0000

Students at USM are provided with countless opportunities to learn and explore every day, and some of the very best of those take place outside of the classroom. Teeming with excitement and anticipation, our eighth-graders recently embarked on a weeklong visit to Washington, D.C., where the sights and sounds of our nation’s capital brought hundreds of years of history to life for our young students.

Walking in the footsteps of our country’s leaders, both past and present, our students toured the U.S. Capitol, laid down the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, and roamed the famous terrain of Gettysburg, where fierce battles once raged and Lincoln gave his iconic speech in 1863.

The opportunity to not just read about history, but to touch it, feel it, and live it in such an authentic way is powerful, producing memories and lessons that will endure for years to come. I’m extremely proud of all of our students who made the trip, and look forward to hearing their stories firsthand in the weeks to come.

I encourage you to explore Eighth-Grade History Teacher Chuck Taft’s blog for more about the wonderful experiences our students had during the trip, as well as photos and audio comments. A big thank-you goes out to all of our faculty members, parents, and staff for helping make the trip a success.

The Finest Arts

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:35:00 +0000

As many of you know, my office morphs into an art gallery every few weeks when art teachers from each division share their students’ latest masterpieces with me. I enjoy adorning my walls with student artwork not only for the aesthetic appeal, but also because it reminds me of the important benefits of a fine arts education.

Starting with our very youngest students, we foster an environment where self-expression is appreciated and encouraged. Through fine arts classes and special activities, exposure to the arts enriches a student’s education and builds strong skills for the future.

One such activity is the fourth-grade Docent Program that just celebrated its 25th anniversary last week. The Program provides students with an opportunity to share their knowledge of art and design and expand their presentation skills. Beginning in first grade, students visit the Milwaukee Art Museum three times each year and observe docents modeling various ways to present pieces of artwork. In fourth grade, students select their favorite piece of art at the Museum and combine report writing and public speaking into a memorable experience as they present the artwork to family and friends.

The Docent Program is a highlight of the year for Lower School Art Teacher Bob Geniusz, who believes programs like this are crucial to developing well-rounded students. “Docent Night 2013 was a great success,” he says. “The evening began and ended in the wonderful Windover Hall designed by Santiago Calatrava. All of the fourth-graders were well prepared and loved presenting their impressions of their favorite Art Museum works of art to their families and friends.”

It is only appropriate that I also mention the upcoming spring issue of USM Today, which will further explore the fine arts curriculum we provide our students. I hope you enjoy reading about the wonderful ways our students are encouraged to think, express, and create each day.

International Fair Showcases Diversity

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:19:00 +0000

Following spring break, I used this space to discuss USM’s strong sense of community as we introduce the Varsity Club, a new way for many of our alumni to reconnect with each other and the School.

This week, I wish to celebrate our School community coming together in another rewarding way at the 2013 International Fair.

The Lower School gymnasium was buzzing with excitement last Friday as students, parents, and faculty members joined together for this day-long event. Students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the customs and traditions of 13 different countries as they learned about the rich, vibrant, and diverse cultures that make up the USM community.

Fair attendees were treated to interactive games and activities, videos, and musical demonstrations specific to each participating country. Each booth truly felt like a visit to another land!

USM is dedicated to providing opportunities that build a lifelong foundation of active learning for our students. These opportunities are provided both inside and outside of the classroom, and I am proud to lead a School that celebrates its diversity and can conceptualize the study of other cultures through immersion events such as the International Fair.

I want to thank all of our volunteer parents and faculty members for their hard work in putting together this fantastic event for our students. A special thank-you to Middle School Spanish Teacher Jeff Ballentine for taking the reins and coordinating the event this year!

An Expert Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:31:00 +0000

For many Upper School students—as well as many Upper School parents—the task of choosing a college can be quite daunting. I know this firsthand, having gone through the selection process with my children. Although an exciting time for families, the process can often be stressful and time-consuming.

USM is dedicated to providing students and parents with the best resources and assistance when it comes to choosing a college or university. Last week, the Upper School College Guidance department presented its “Evening with the Experts” event. Held annually, this important evening provides parents and students in grades 9-12 with an opportunity to gain valuable perspective on the changing college admissions landscape and ask questions of a panel of experienced leaders in the profession.

This year, USM welcomed three college admissions professionals to the event: Adele Brumfield, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment at UW-Madison; Mary Lou Bates, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Skidmore College; and Danielle Anderson ’06, Assistant Director of Admission at Washington University in St. Louis.

As I spent some time with our guests during the school day, they were highly complimentary of our four-year College Guidance Program. They were quite impressed by our low student-to-counselor ratio of 43:1, compared to a ratio sometimes as high as 800:1 at schools across the country.

At the event, each admission professional spent a bit of time describing the school she was representing. I was pleased that our large audience was able to hear representatives from three very different schools describe the distinctive student experiences that each offers. They also provided a few insiders’ tips that should prove useful to our students preparing to apply to college. I have briefly summarized those below:

Pursue your passion: Admissions officers notice students who care deeply about something, whether it’s a particular cause or activity.
Do things well: Students who focus their efforts and work to their highest ability are thought of more highly than those who are involved in everything at a mediocre level
Be an open book: When reviewing college applications, admissions officers want to be able to get to know students and understand what is important to them.

I would like to acknowledge Susan Zarwell and Robin Miller, Directors of College Guidance, and Linda Dulmes, College Guidance Associate, our “in house” experts, for holding such an informative event. It is crucial that our Upper School families begin to think about college selection early on, and this event gives even our youngest Upper School students a unique perspective on college admissions.

A New Way to Reconnect

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:25:00 +0000

Welcome back! As winter weather stubbornly maintains its grasp on Wisconsin (in spite of what the calendar tells us), I hope that everyone in the USM community enjoyed a safe, fun, and refreshing break.

As you know, I take great pride in the strong sense of community that we foster at USM and all the academic and athletic opportunities we offer our students. The lessons of teamwork, leadership, and hard work learned by our student athletes last long beyond their time at USM, as will the relationships they build here. Often the bonds of friendship remain strong but, sometimes in our busy world, team members lose touch – both with each other and the School. Therefore, I am delighted to tell you about our newly formed Varsity Club as a way for our former athletes to reconnect.

The Varsity Club is successfully bringing together MCD, MDS, MUS, and USM varsity letter winners from all sports. From merger-school alumni to our most recent graduating classes, I am pleased to note that, just a month into the program, more than 30 alumni have become members.

Free admission to cheer on the Wildcats at all regularly scheduled USM athletic events and a subscription to the Varsity Club newsletter are just a few of the perks that members enjoy!

Whether through athletics or by participation in any of the opportunities we offer here, we all benefit when we forge these ties. Our entire community is strengthened by inviting these former School athletes to reconnect.

Everyone interested in learning more is encouraged to visit www.usmk12.org/varsityclub.

Thinking Spring...and Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:24:00 +0000

It is hard to believe it is time to wish students, parents, and faculty a wonderful Spring Break. I can feel the anticipation in the halls and hear it echoing from classrooms as teachers wrap up their lessons before our two-week break. Whether you will be enjoying the time off locally or traveling, I hope everyone has a fun, safe, and relaxing break. I look forward to all the exciting activities that will take place from when we return in April until early June.

As it is never too early to start thinking about summer, I would like to draw your attention to our always-amazing Summer I.D.E.A.S. program that will begin its 23rd season this June. Open to the greater community, Summer I.D.E.A.S. offers so many ways for children ages three through grade 12 to spend the summer learning, having fun, and making friends. New this year, we are offering high-school courses for possible credit. I encourage everyone to explore all the options for their children at www.usmk12.org/IDEAS.

Eighth-Graders Rule National History Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:43:00 +0000

Once again, our exceptional eighth-graders excelled at the Southeastern Regional National History Day competition this past Saturday!

Out of over 500 students and more than 190 projects submitted, our young historians showcased their excellence in research, presenting, and analysis as they claimed 13 of the 27 possible slots at the state competition in Madison.

Please join me in congratulating all of our NHD scholars for their hard work and dedication. A special thanks goes to eighth-grade history teacher Chuck Taft for his help and guidance on NHD projects, and to the many faculty members and parents who assisted our students along the way.

These projects are the culmination of countless hours of research and preparation, and I couldn’t be more pleased with their performance.

Below is a listing of students who advanced to the state competition.

Group Documentary:

DJ Bobbs and Maya Karri, A Fairy Tale to Remember

Amer Mohiuddin and Nyle Numaan, Radium Dial Painters

Individual Documentary:

Megan Dogra, Birth of a Dream

Emma Smith, Rockefeller’s Hookworm Commission

Group Performance:

Will Koch, Cole Stephany, Alex Ventress, and Jaciana Witte-Rivera, Shout!

Individual Performance:

Lizzie Keuler, General Billy Mitchell

Group Website:

Michael Balistreri, Logan Lee, and Nate Sampson, The Texas Western Basketball Team

Individual Website:

Liz Ostermeyer, Never the Same-The Media After Watergate

Kai Veitinger, Gatorade

Individual Exhibit:

Ellie Barney, Gold Fever

Genevieve Fellenz, Youthquake Obsession

Individual Paper:

Anshul Bhatnagar, We Took the Highways…

Katie Feuerstein, An Empire Executed

Best of luck at state in May!

Looking Forward, Looking Back

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:43:00 +0000

Serving as the head of this outstanding School means my schedule often provides some sharp contrasts—often during the same day.

Take Tuesday, February 12, for example. The morning started with a Strategic Planning Steering Committee meeting. Our consultant, Ian Symmonds of Ian Symmonds & Associates, was back on campus for the fourth time.

We officially have moved on to the Phase IV "Formulating the Future" phase, and we are now forming subgroups to begin developing a set of strategic goals based on the research we have gathered over the past several months. It's a very exciting stage in the process as we look towards creating a plan that will ensure the continued success of USM. I'm confident this process will set the stage for a bright future. More information will follow shortly from Sangeeta Khanna and Andrew Petzold, the co-chairs of the Steering Committee.

Following the meeting, I made my way to Lower School, where our fourth-graders were culminating their study of the Civil War by engaging in an “Immersion Day.” Impeccably dressed in the style of the era, our students learned bugle calls, sang Civil War songs, listened to historically authentic speakers, and tasted traditional “Johnny cakes.” I joined them in the taste test—they were actually quite good!

Starting off my day by working with a group of volunteers and administrators dedicated to USM’s continued success, followed by sharing an innovative learning experience as our students’ studied this extraordinary time in our country’s history, made this day a particularly rewarding combination of both looking back in time and to the future.

Help! Where's the Instruction Manual?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:29:00 +0000

When we buy a new coffee-maker, it comes neatly packaged with an easy-to-follow instruction manual. Unfortunately, there is no such help when the most precious items in our home, our children, arrive. As a parent, I have often wished for a step-by-step guide that would be easy to follow and resolve all family challenges before they ever arose. Of course, we all know that’s just pie in the sky, and so at USM, working closely with the Parents’ Association, we provide many opportunities for parent education that we hope will ease the path.

From time to time, we have the occasion to feature some well-known speakers, and I am delighted that Katie Koestner, a national expert on student safety and wellness, will be here on Tuesday, February 26, to share her knowledge with parents of students at all grade levels.

From 8:15-9:15 a.m. in the Theatre, Koestner will speak on “How healthy relationships are important for the ongoing emotional and social well-being of students and families.” In addition to speaking to parents in the morning, she will present to students from third grade and higher during her visit. Her topics will include bullying and cyber-bullying, as well as respect: what students should look for in-peer relationships to ensure they are healthy.

I hope you will plan to attend Koestner’s presentation and discover for yourself her powerful messages that have brought her appearances on the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” CNN, and NBC Nightly News, to name just a few. She presents regularly at schools throughout the country, ranging from Phillips Andover Academy to Brown University.

Reaching 100 Means it's Time to Celebrate!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:10:00 +0000

Reaching 100 is always a cause for celebration and on Monday our senior kindergarteners took full advantage by coming together for an afternoon of activities to recognize the 100th day of school. Their fun learning projects included:

counting 100 steps from a certain location and seeing how far that takes them
trying to bounce a ball 100 times (while standing inside a hula-hoop)
recording how many words can be made from the letters that comprise the words "one hundred days"
decorating paper "100" eye glasses
putting 100 dots on special 100-day hats
making Fruit Loop necklaces with 100 loops
counting to 100 by ones, fives, and tens
finding 100 words hidden around the room
rolling dice and then racing to roll enough numbers to add up to 100.

As I look back over the first 100 days of school, I believe the Administration and Board have made solid and substantial progress in many areas, including a strong Strategic Planning process, our self-study work as part of our re-accreditation by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), great momentum for our Annual Giving Program, and a thoughtful, energetic, and comprehensive review of our security protocols (more to follow on this important topic in the coming weeks). Our students are benefiting from the new outdoor athletic facilities and the 1:1 Program, among other innovations new this school year. Thank you to all the members of the USM community who play a key role in our work – perhaps we should all get a pair of those glasses!

Guiding Principles Reaffirmed: USM Self-Study Continues

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:49:00 +0000

I would like to share the School’s Guiding Principles with you. Together with our Mission Statement, our Common Trust, and our Diversity Statement, our Guiding Principles represent our School philosophy.

Last January, the faculty began a process of reviewing and updating the Guiding Principles statement that was first developed in 2002. Changes reflect today’s educational landscape with references to “global communities” and “information literacy.”

As part of USM’s re-accreditation process by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), the Guiding Principles will be reviewed by Visiting Team members during their time at USM this fall. The team will look for congruence between what we say we do and what they observe. (For background on the ISACS re-accreditation process, please see my blog post from February 10, 2012.)

Please take a moment to review our Guiding Principles, which clearly enunciate our teachers’ commitment to each student’s intellectual, social, emotional, ethical, and artistic development.

Our Self-Study is also a vital part of our ISACS re-accreditation process. During Monday’s in-service day, our faculty and administrators worked diligently in their self-study committees. (The School prepares a comprehensive report, referred to as the Self-Study, which addresses every aspect of academic and non-academic life.) Under the leadership of Judy Bloch, our self-study coordinator, the committees—ranging from PK-12 English to Financial Management and Operations —engaged in in-depth discussions to describe current practices and identify strengths and challenges facing the School.

I am so impressed by the level of commitment and the thoughtful deliberations, as these committees move forward on their work on the report.

Voices Heard

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:59:00 +0000

In last week’s blog, I described how a student’s advocacy and research skills came to persuade me to close USM in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I expressed the hope our students would respect the spirit of MLK and celebrate the day in service to others. While it’s rare for me to cover the same topic two weeks in a row, I would like to thank all our students who responded so positively. Our voices were heard throughout the Milwaukee community.

For coverage, please click here.

RESPECT is More Than a Hit Record by Aretha Franklin

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:45:00 +0000

The 1967 hit and signature song for R&B singer Aretha Franklin is often considered one of the best songs of the R&B era. As music of the 60s, this song provides an appropriate accompaniment to the theme of this week’s blog: the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

While the Common Trust theme for this year is fairness, I would like to focus here on the tenet of RESPECT. As School parents, you may be wondering how the decision was made to close USM on Monday, January 21, to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Certainly there is more than one way to honor the legacy and message of Dr. King. In previous years, School was in session, so that our educators could offer students appropriate programming and community-service opportunities to recognize the specific day. (Please note that, even though school will be closed that day, there are many service opportunities for older students* and special assemblies are being held around the time.) It is generally agreed, however, the work of Dr. King should not be confined to one day of recognition, but rather we should work every day to help make the world a better place.

Then, around this time last year, I received a request from an Upper School student saying that USM would demonstrate more respect for the life and dream of this great American by being closed on this federal holiday.

Now, respect is a two-way street, of course, and so I considered her request seriously. While appreciating her arguments, I was not totally convinced until I reached the end of her proposal. This young lady had used her initiative and USM training to research how MLK day is observed at my two previous schools and had discovered that both prior schools do close in observance of this day and, in fact, I had initiated this at my last school. USM students certainly know how to make a case! This is a great example of how our students acquire the skills necessary to advocate articulately and passionately.

In this way, the decision was made. I do hope all our students respect the spirit of MLK this coming Monday and celebrate the day in service to others. The legacy of Dr. King lives in each of us.

*To encourage Upper School students to make it a "day on, not a day off,” USM has decided that service performed on MLK day will count as double hours towards the community service requirement for graduation.

Students Learn It’s Not Easy to Balance a Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:30:00 +0000

I’m extremely proud of the fact that we teach a full semester of economics to our seventh-graders. Educating young people on how businesses work, the principles of personal finance, and how they can invest in their future provides them with invaluable life skills.

Recently, our students had the opportunity to apply their personal finance skills in a “real-world” setting at a Junior Achievement Finance Park simulation. A four-week personal finance unit — including classroom lessons covering credit cards, taxes, and investing in the stock market — culminated in the November 19, 2012 simulation, where students were assigned careers, incomes, and specific family situations before visiting a series of businesses at the Park's virtual "city".

Seventh-graders investigate how to buy a car at the simulation.

Applying for loans, purchasing utilities, exploring housing options, and settling on cell-phone plans were just a few of the lifestyle choices our students made during the all-day event. Money was also allocated to cover items such as insurance costs, food, transportation, and stock market investments, while a few "unlucky" students were assigned unforeseen financial hardship penalty situations as part of their budgets.

This unique opportunity allowed our students to gain an understanding of the importance of making thoughtful financial decisions. I expect this experience and the life lessons they learned to serve them well in the years to come.

In case you missed it, click here to view the Fox 6 news coverage of our students at the simulation!

Welcome Back

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:50:00 +0000

Happy New Year and welcome back from Winter Break! I hope everyone had a relaxing and wonderful time off. As this has been a short week, check back during the week of January 7 for my next blog post.

Excitement in the Air

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:54:00 +0000

This blog post was written the morning of December 14 — before we all learned of the indescribable school tragedy in Connecticut. I therefore did not feel it was appropriate to post later that day. We all join in expressing our deepest sympathy towards those affected by last Friday's events.

As I walked through the Upper School this morning on the way to my office, I was amazed by the positive energy and excitement that was in the air! Not exactly what you might expect with final exams going on. I was almost moved to tears as I took in the landscape of students excitedly discussing concepts and engaged in thoughtful conversation. This is what our dedicated faculty members work toward – students who take responsibility for their own learning. I wish every parent could have been there to see this scene.

Excitement will soon shift from exams to winter break and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our school families a wonderful holiday season and a happy and healthy 2013.

Making Your Voice Heard

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:20:00 +0000

I would like to start this week’s blog with a sincere thank-you to everyone who attended Saturday’s Strategic Planning Retreat.

I’ve known, of course, that this is an extraordinary community ever since I looked at USM more closely as I considered applying for the position of Head of School. Nevertheless, the fact that so many people gave up a Saturday at this very busy time of the year to participate in the school-wide retreat tells me that USM has a special place in many, many hearts.

The large showing of our parents, parents of alumni, alumni, and faculty and staff says so much. I do want people to know that participating in the retreat was not mandatory for faculty and staff, so the fact that many of them gave up the day to attend demonstrates how much they care.

In my position, I was not allowed to attend the sessions, but it was energizing to look in and see everyone so engaged and enthusiastic. I think there was an advantage to having parents, faculty, parents of alumni, etc. all in the same group, so they could experience each other’s perspectives. Much of the discussion centered around three questions: what’s working, what’s not working, and what’s missing? It was a vital opportunity for different constituencies to speak to those needs, wants, and desires.

Ian Symmonds, our strategic planning consultant, was extremely impressed — both by the turnout and the quality of the conversation, which he found very constructive. He is enthused about the information garnered during the retreat, and now the plethora of input (from the retreat, surveys, and focus groups) will be analyzed and scanned for highlights and common strands.

This phase will be followed by the development of a vision and strategic goals, followed by the School creating the tactical steps necessary to achieve the strategic goals.

I would be remiss to close this week’s blog without taking the opportunity to thank Andrew Petzold and Sangeeta Khanna, Co-Chairs, and all the other members of the Strategic Planning Committee, who made this interesting exercise possible. I also very much appreciate the Parents’ Association efforts, guided by PA President Wendy Petzold, to assure strong representation from the parent body. It is gratifying that so many individuals recognize the importance of defining the future of the School – there is no doubt the School will benefit from their involvement. After all, we all want what’s best for USM!

Not Teaching to the Test

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:03:00 +0000

In November 2011, third-graders (now our current fourth-graders) took the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam (WKCE). This statewide test is given in Wisconsin public schools every fall to ensure state academic standards are being met and measure proficiency levels of certain subject areas. USM elected to have our students also complete the exam in the areas of reading and mathematics.

Despite not being required by the state to administer the exam, we felt that having our students take the WKCE was a good opportunity to demonstrate the strength of USM’s curriculum: our students received no additional preparation or instruction to ensure good exam performance, yet the results show that 100% of our third-graders tested at the Proficient or Advanced level. Additionally, the results allow us to see how we compare to other area school districts. As you can see in the bar graphs below, USM continues to outrank our neighbor schools in both reading and mathematics. The graph represents

These results only reinforce what we already know about our program here: that we provide our students with the strongest educational foundation. Not only does our curriculum cover all the academic bases—and beyond—but we teach students how to think critically and how to apply their skills and knowledge to solve problems. Our curriculum doesn’t have to be focused on preparing for standardized tests in order for our students to perform well. Our outstanding teachers mold a reading class or math problem into rich lessons that offer a deep, conceptual understanding of a topic. The unique learning experiences and opportunities we provide everyday clearly set our students and teachers apart.

Thanksgiving Traditions at USM

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:31:00 +0000

This will be my second Thanksgiving at USM. Last year, I learned about the wonderful traditions of Grandparents and Special Friends Day that takes place on the Wednesday morning before Thanksgiving as well as the Alumni brunch we hold a little later that morning. This second event welcomes recent USM graduates back to campus where they have the opportunity not only to reconnect with each other but also with faculty and current Upper School students. I am truly looking forward to spending time with everyone on Wednesday morning.

One tradition, however, that I learned about a little too late to share with you last year is the set of instructions that some of our PK children compile each year to guide their families in preparing for the Thanksgiving meal. Their thoughts are truly priceless! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

How to Cook a Turkey PK Style

You have to go to the store to buy it… at the turkey store. Costco or Sendik’s or Metro Market. It’s the store by the carwash. The turkeys are in the turkey aisle. When you get there you have to say, “Please may I have a turkey”, because they like good manners. The man at the store gets the turkey from the woods and puts it in your cart. It’s as big as a flamingo! Take it to the register to pay. It costs a lot of dollars… $81 or $32 or $6 or $19. You can pay with 38 credit cards. When your mom puts the turkey in the car she should close the doors up and shut the windows so the turkey doesn’t fly or jump out. You might want to put it in the trunk.

When you get home, first you have to take the turkey in the house and then take the feathers off. Get a big pot to cover the turkey up and put in some eggs, Lucky Charms, strawberries, apple slices, and grapes. Turn on the oven to really hot… like four degrees. Put the turkey inside but be careful not to burn yourself! You need to check on it to see when it’s done cooking. If it moves put it back in. Cook it for this many minutes… maybe like 5 minutes. Set the timer and when it beeps you know the turkey is done. Cut the beak off ‘cause nobody wants to eat the beak, just the more soft part. When you eat dinner you can put syrup on top or sprinkles, and have cereal, watermelon, marshmallows, and corn, too.

And then you say thank you to your mom and dad or grandma or gramps for such a good dinner!

Happy Thanksgiving!