USM Head of School

Thank You, Parents

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:33:00 +0000

Last week, I attended my first Parents’ Association Annual Meeting. The reports and volunteer recognition only served to reinforce what an amazing, committed parent body we have here.

I appreciated the opportunity to stand before the group and express my personal appreciation for all that the PA does to build community. To borrow a phrase from the PA Mission Statement, parents here truly “collaborate and share their time and talents to enhance the University School experience for students, parents, faculty, and staff.”

Other members of the school community used photos and video to express their appreciation. Watch the video below.

Commencement 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Thu, 24 May 2012 01:17:00 +0000

What a wonderful afternoon it was! The warmth of the community gathered in the Middle School gym for Commencement matched the high temperature outside, where the seniors had gathered earlier for the formal class photo.

As I looked out on the overflowing crowd assembled for this important occasion, I was caught up in the excitement of the moment. Commencement may be defined as a ceremony at which diplomas are conferred and students acknowledged for having successfully met the requirements for graduation, but of course this heady time for graduates is also transition point. Commencement exercises serve as a rite of passage as members of the class moves on to institutions of higher learning.

I am delighted to report that, despite the exponential increase in college applications, 82.2 percent of our graduates will be entering their first choice of school this fall, with another 11.11 percent heading off to their second choice. This is truly remarkable at this time of increased competition for the very best schools.

To view the video of Commencement on the portal, click here (and click on the link found in the Announcements channel), or to read the Commencement Address by local business man and philanthropist – and proud grandparent – Sheldon Lubar, our Valedictorian’s speech, and mine, click here.

Celebrating Our Retirees

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:03:00 +0000

If I could teach you, teacher,

I'd teach you how much more

you have accomplished

than you think you have.

I'd show you the seeds

you planted years ago

that are now coming into bloom.

― Excerpted from “If I Could Teach you, Teacher” by Joanna Fuchs

Certainly, the faculty members who are retiring at the end of this school year have produced an abundant crop of well-educated young people. They have been more than teachers; they are role models and friends. They have cared deeply about the success of each individual child and done their utmost to ensure that, every time students leave the classroom, they depart with more knowledge and self-confidence than when they entered.

The time is fast approaching when we will also say farewell to several longtime, committed staff members who have played important roles ― both individually and as members of the USM community ― in the day-to-day life of the School, helping to ensure that all areas, from the kitchen to the school store, run smoothly.

Every summer as the senior class graduates, so some of our USM faculty and staff members also move on to the next stage of their lives. This year, as has happened from time to time in the recent past, USM offered a retirement package across the board to individuals who met certain criteria based on their age and years of service. The package was offered to 36 school employees and several decided to accept USM’s offer. As in any given year, in addition to individuals who are retiring, there are others who will move on to other opportunities, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

We will miss all these committed individuals and the difference they have made to our community. Please refer to your May 11 email invitation for the list of individuals we will honor on May 23, as we celebrate their many years of service and contributions to this School. We hope you will join us.

Schools of the Future - and Today

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:41:00 +0000

I have been asked to share the following video (see below) with you.

Patrick F. Bassett has been the president of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS www.nais.org) since August 2001. NAIS, a membership organization for more than 1,800 independent (private) schools and associations of schools in the U.S. and abroad, is the "national voice for independent schools and the center for collective action on their behalf."

While all NAIS schools set high standards and emphasize values, they are wonderfully distinct from each other, so some of what you view may not exactly apply here but, for the most part, I believe it helps everyone who was educated at a different time understand how children learn today and summarizes key trends in independent school education.

It’s 27 minutes long but worth the time. Click here to watch the video. I hope you find it interesting and informative.

Community Treasures

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:48:00 +0000

Remember the old adage: “One man's trash is another man's treasure?” Far more, however, than an opportunity to de-clutter and recycle discarded or outgrown clothing or domestic items, Rummage at the Rink has come to represent a key community-building opportunity for USM.

In addition to Rummage at the Rink’s purpose as an important Parents’ Association fundraiser, the event brings many members of the USM community together and also gives back to the greater Milwaukee community. (At the end of the sale, all remaining items are donated to a variety of local charities.)

As explained by the PA, “There is a role for everyone to play, and it's the group effort that makes it a success.” Examples include:

Current school and alumni families, faculty and staff donate items to sell
Volunteers (again both current and alumni parents) sort and arrange items and staff the sale
Older students are involved to set-up of merchandise and help during the event
Faculty and staff have a preview date day to shop before the sale opens to the public.

I’m told that in preparation for this weekend’s sale, more than 50 volunteers came last Saturday to help clear out the containers (where the donated items had been stored). All of the Upper School spring athletics teams, many of our Middle School students, and several other groups of volunteers did an amazing job. This teamwork resulted in the containers being unloaded in about 2.5 hours. As donations are running roughly 50 percent ahead of last year, this was an amazing effort.

I’m looking forward to attending my first USM rummage event this weekend. Perhaps an item will catch my eye, but mostly I’m anticipating the occasion to see this wonderful community in action. I was bowled over by Holiday Shops, which far exceeded my expectations, and no doubt Rummage at the Rink will offer another outstanding example of a dedicated community at work.

Helping Hands

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:29:00 +0000

“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.”

-- Sally Koch

At this time of year, when there is a flurry of service projects at USM, all the opportunities – both great and small that surround us here – help students learn and appreciate the value of contributing to society.

Student involvement in community service projects begins in prekindergarten and culminates with a 60-hour community service graduation requirement over the course of four years in Upper School. These experiences foster learning, personal growth and connections, and offer children opportunities to develop leadership skills.

A variety of USM projects – within the school community, around the greater Milwaukee area, and even internationally – allows students to acquire a rewarding sense of worth and inspires their investment in making a difference.

Among the many projects:

The STAR Service Club Fashion Show benefiting Sojourner Family Peace Center is being held on Saturday, April 28.
Also for Sojourner Family Peace Center clients, our sixth-graders design and fill welcoming bags, containing health and beauty items.
Earlier this week, the Lower School collected supplies for the Pine View Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, an organization dedicated to the medical care, rehabilitation, and conservation of Wisconsin’s wild creatures, and to educating the public regarding the importance of sharing the earth with these creatures.
This week our JKers are finishing up their annual collection of cans for recycling. For almost 30 years, our JK classes have been collecting aluminum cans. As part of this project, the children visit Miller Compressing Company for a tour to see the cans crushed and weighed, and receive a check for their value. All this aluminum gets turned back into new cans and students have money to buy books for needy children and sponsor animals at the zoo that they visit in May.
Second-graders are conducting their annual food drive for the Hunger Task Force until May 8 and are encouraging the USM community to bring in as much non-perishable food as possible.
Coming up shortly is the fifth-grade service-learning trip to clean up the Milwaukee River. In the past seven years, fifth-grade students have recovered over a ton of refuse from Brown Deer and Lincoln Parks.

Certainly, this list is not comprehensive and you may well know of other projects where you have helped your child bring food or cans to school or where you have helped them participate in both tangible and intangible ways. Community service is just one more example of the partnership between home and school where we can work together to help students find their place in today’s rapidly changing society.

Coming Soon to an Inbox Near You

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:48:00 +0000

90 trillion – The number of emails sent on the Internet in 2009.
247 billion – Average number of email messages per day.
1.4 billion – The number of email users worldwide.
100 million – New email users since the year before.
81% – The percentage of emails that were spam.
92% – Peak spam levels late in the year.
24% – Increase in spam since last year.
200 billion – The number of spam emails per day (assuming 81% are spam).

These statistics are from 2009, so we can only imagine what the numbers might be in April 2012!

I am, therefore, pleased to let you know that – if you have children in more than one division – you will receive only one Friday email from the school. Starting on April 20, Tower Weekly will provide a streamlined, one-stop location for school news and information. Many thanks to the PA leadership for their input.

This one email – with prominent links to the three current division e-newsletters (Friday Folder, Friday Footnotes, and Upper School Update) and to the Wildcat Week in Review – will also feature important all-school information that would usually be repeated in all three division e-newsletters.

Additionally, you’ll be able to find quick links to recent school news stories and updates, as well as information about the 1:1 Program as it becomes available, among other items.

I hope you enjoy the format. Happy reading!

“Hello, Dolly!” Brings Audiences to Their Feet

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:26:00 +0000

“You must see it!”

After seeing the recent Upper School production of “Hello, Dolly!” Rosie Lyons, Head of Upper School, sent out an email to faculty and staff singing the praises of this outstanding performance.

My expectations were raised but I’m delighted to tell you they were not only met but exceeded. Congratulations to our Upper School players and our talented faculty who helped bring this piece to the stage!

Performing arts are an important part of a USM education. Beginning in Middle School, students are required to take drama courses where they learn how to express themselves, build self confidence, and continue to develop their presentation skills. Two shows are performed during the school year; this year, Middle School students presented “Treasure Island” in the fall, and in May “Guys and Dolls” will come to life onstage.

The Upper School drama program adds to this foundation and stages two drama productions each year—in fact, the fall Upper School performance of “The Liar” was named one of the "All-State" shows at the Wisconsin State Theatre Festival at UW-Whitewater and a cast member won an individual Outstanding Acting award.

Whether you had the opportunity to experience the live “Hello, Dolly!” or not, I’m sure you’ll enjoy these photographs on USM’s website and on Facebook.

This will be my last blog post before spring break. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our school families a wonderful two weeks. I look forward to seeing you back on campus at the beginning of April.

Random Acts of Kindness Week

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:07:00 +0000

The second week of February each year has been designated as Random Acts of Kindness Week (RAK Week) by The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, an internationally recognized non-profit organization. Of course, the goal is for everyone to participate in kindness 365 days of the year, but the Foundation has designed this week, “to give those who are either not currently aware of Random Acts of Kindness or those who wish to call attention to the value of kind actions a chance to experience the joy of passing along kindness.”

Our Middle School students enthusiastically joined in this international initiative. Student leaders advocated kindness to their classmates by wearing self-designed tee-shirts with words or phrases associated with kindness, reciting inspirational quotes during lunchtime, and posing daily discussion questions.

Organized by the Middle School Leadership Club, Middle School counselor Laina Uttech and sixth-grade English teacher Brad Dunning, students and faculty were encouraged to commit their own random, personal acts of kindness throughout the week. “By committing simple, yet thoughtful acts of generosity, students exemplified one of the key tenets of our school's Common Trust - kindness. The Common Trust encourages students to relate to one another in an environment of support and mutual respect and will continue to guide us beyond this designated week of kindness,” Dunning said. These did not have to be big deeds but simple acts such as helping someone pick up dropped belongings, holding a door open, discarding a stray piece of litter in the hallway, or merely offering a welcoming smile to prospective families on a tour of the school. For each act of kindness, the student made a chain link with a description of the action. Then all the links were attached together and strung across the dining room.

We may have lost but we won big time!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:48:00 +0000

After last week’s Thursday night boys’ varsity basketball game, Athletic Director Rick Johns told me, “You saw, arguably, the best game in the school’s history!"

He went on to commend the students on both benches. “They kept the game on the floor and between the lines. Both teams played their hearts out. I will only say that it is unfortunate when the behavior of an adult or two takes the focus away from the students’ hard work,” he added.

As I watched the game and witnessed the actions of a couple of parents from the opposing team, I have to tell you how proud I was of the way everyone from USM conducted themselves. Without exception, throughout all the chaos, our players, our parents and students in the stands, our coaches – all exemplified the high standards of community behavior that prevail here. Certainly no one could ask for more stellar role models for our students than our basketball coaches that night.

I also would like to thank our parents who served as the physicians for the game who so calmly and efficiently provided immediate medical attention to an injured player from the other team.

Even though the outcome of the game was not in our favor, it was clear that USM scored a win.

Faculty and Staff Open the Door

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:07:00 +0000

I often write about impressive student achievements but this week I would like to share a different type of statistic with you. By the end of January, USM achieved 100% faculty and staff participation in the 2011-2012 Annual Giving Program. To celebrate, we all enjoyed a “jeans day” – even though it was the first time in 20 years that I had worn jeans to work.

This demonstration of support for the School is truly appreciated and shows how all who work here recognize the importance of the Program and how these dollars impact the quality of the educational experience we are able to offer every student.

This willingness to give back to the School exemplifies the commitment of our faculty and staff, and represents just one of the many ways everyone here goes above and beyond to contribute to ensuring the very best USM experience for every student.

Representing the best in prekindergarten through twelfth grade independent education

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:51:00 +0000

We recently asked parents, as well as faculty and staff, to participate in an independent school survey. The survey is part of the self-study study process required for re-accreditation by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).

It is extremely important for USM to receive feedback from parents and, as I noted in my communication in advance of the survey, your answers provide an important way for us to track the satisfaction of our families and the effectiveness of our programs.

I would like to use my blog this week to tell you a little more about the accreditation process. University School participates in a seven-year accreditation cycle that begins with the preparation of a self-study. A school’s self-study tells the story of the school, allowing the institution and its departments to describe in narrative form how their progress relates to their constituents’ perceptions and the school’s mission.

A key component of the process involves a peer review conducted by independent school administrators and faculty who therefore understand and appreciate independent school qualities and contributions to education. The review team asks the question, “Does USM live up to its mission?” It looks for full disclosure and high-quality performance. The team concludes the review by providing a set of commendations and recommendations. The school, in turn, commits to taking action on the recommendations and to reporting progress in accomplishing the goals until the next accreditation cycle begins.

USM benefits greatly as we hold ourselves to the highest standards, and through this process we receive invaluable feedback from our parents, faculty and staff, and alumni, as well as a team of outstanding independent school educators.

The accreditation process serves to provide us not only with the views of internal constituencies but also gives us the advantage of an external evaluation, ensuring we always “represent the best in prekindergarten through twelfth grade independent education.”

The Art of Being a Fourth-Grade Docent

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:27:00 +0000

Lower School students look forward to their fourth-grade Docent Day program as a rite of passage. The program is a culminating event for the Lower School fine arts curriculum, combining research, drawing studies, public speaking, and art and world history.

Beginning in first grade, students visit the Milwaukee Art Museum three times a year to learn about the Museum’s history, the artwork, and elements and principles of design. Once in fourth grade, students recreate, using pastels, their favorite piece of art in the Museum. They then write a speech about the artist, the artwork, and the use of design techniques.

This year’s program took place at the Museum a few weekends ago. Students became docents for the day using portable voice amplifiers as they toured around the Museum. They presented to family and friends their own interpretation of their chosen piece of art. A special reception was held at the Museum, and every student received a certificate acknowledging their completion of the program.

Lower School art teacher Bob Geniusz believes the program is a vital start to building students’ independence and public-speaking skills. “The entire fourth-grade faculty team works together to help each student prepare for this event, but many choices about their projects and how often they practice are left up to the student,” says Geniusz. He notes that this year technology played a large role in allowing the students to perfect their presentations on their own: “This year, students recorded their speeches on iPad 2s. This way they could easily see and hear themselves and could re-record and practice as much as needed.”

This special program is an important milestone, helping our students not only develop an appreciation for the arts but also developing strong presentation skills― an important component of a 21st-century education.

Untapping each child’s creative potential

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:56:00 +0000

Recently, a faculty member brought to my attention a CNN.com article entitled, “Why we need to let kids be creative,” by Carolina A. Miranda. The article states that divergent thinking is key to problem solving and is the backbone of creativity ―understanding what is, and then imagining the possibilities of what could be.

Here is an excerpt:

The word "creativity," in our society tends to be applied to artistic endeavors. But divergent thinking is an essential part of everyday life, whether it's navigating office politics or devising a new social-media network. When a toddler figures out that he can climb a strategically placed chair to reach a cookie on the kitchen counter, he has engaged in highly creative problem solving (to the chagrin of his parents). "We all have creative potential," says Mark Runco, Ph.D., director of the University of Georgia's Torrance Center for Creativity & Talent Development. "Our job as parents and teachers is to help kids fulfill it"

…This unique ability [dexterity in generating a wide range of potentially useful ideas] is one that will be crucial to the workforce of the future. Today's toddler faces a universe of rapidly evolving technology, an ever-shifting global economy, and far-reaching health and environmental challenges -- scenarios that will require plenty of creative thinking.”

The article is another confirmation that independent schools like USM have the advantage, as we have the freedom to design curriculum that encourages creativity. Starting in Prekindergarten, teachers are helping children become divergent thinkers by extending their knowledge of what is to what could be. For example, Prekindergarten teacher Muffie MacKedon Browne (known to her students as “Mrs. MacKie”) says, “A “pesky” squirrel was a frequent visitor to one of the bird feeders outside of our classroom. After observing that the squirrel often caused the birds to fly away, the children decided to create a special feeder for the squirrel. We combined the children’s existing knowledge of squirrels with the scientific data we gathered after visiting the library to come up with a plan. Then the children put their creative ideas into action and worked collaboratively to build the squirrel his very own squirrel feeder and playground complete with a small house, monkey bars, and even a “squirrel” pool. This is just one way in which the learning environment at USM stimulates curiosity, discovery, self-expression, and creativity. We strive to empower the children and their many abilities, as well as encourage their sense of what they can achieve.”

Here is the full article if you would like to read more.

Alum invites Upper School faculty to provide input on education at the national level

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:57:00 +0000

This week, I am handing over my blog space to Roseann Lyons, Head of Upper School, so that she can share you with you a recent request from an alum:

I hope you watched our recent video (last week’s blog post) including interviews with recent alums recounting the effect of their USM experience on their college success. Every alum highlights the impact of good teachers and that leads me to another alum who has been in the news recently.

Dr. Raj Chetty ’97 just published a much-circulated report on the incredible impact of a strong teacher on student achievement—not just in school, but for life. Chetty’s study reports that students with “high value added” teachers “are more likely to attend college, attend higher-ranked colleges, earn higher salaries, live in higher socio-economic neighborhoods, and save more for retirement.”

In preparation for his upcoming meeting with Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Dr. Chetty contacted his alma mater asking me to poll our teachers for their suggestions about how the federal government can improve education in the United States. Eager to supplement his data-driven material, Dr. Chetty is looking for our real-life classroom stories and anecdotes.

Our Upper School-Bound Hear From Alumni

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:57:00 +0000

For our seventh- and eighth-graders, the preparation for Upper School has complicated their lives a little bit more. They are faced with the challenge of organizing their thoughts and compartmentalizing their expectations – quite a hefty task for any of us. To combat this anxiety, the Admissions Office invited a panel of eight recent alumni to answer our Middle School students’ questions. Nothing is of greater value than anecdotal feedback, and in front of undivided attention, our alumni gave the seventh- and eighth-graders candid insights into their Upper School experience.

The panelists offered advice about useful study habits, how to avoid common mistakes, good goals to set, and their favorite part about attending USM. Many alumni mentioned that their experience was highly influenced by the relationships formed with the outstanding faculty, participation in the many opportunities offered, and overall support of the USM community.

A big thanks to the following panelists: Lucy Bartlett '11, Kelly Cannon '09, Wil Gibb '11, Nick Hermberg '11, Sky McGilligan '10, Shelby Sinclair '11, Carol Walker '11, and Bennett Williamson '11.

Interested to hear how some alumni responded? Watch the video here.

Seventh-Graders Transform for Victorian Day

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:37:00 +0000

As the culmination of their research on Victorian-era London, our seventh-graders celebrated Victorian Day on December 19. After spending many weeks in class researching and discussing numerous aspects of the Victorian era, this event was an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they learned while, at the same time, enjoying the festivities of a Victorian gala. Students were encouraged to transform themselves into characters representative of the Victorian era, which included dressing in knickers and frock coats for the boys and hoop skirts and bonnets for the girls. In true Victorian form, all participants were expected to be on their best behavior – it was not uncommon to see seventh-grade ladies curtsey or gentlemen bow.

A drama class began the festivities with a reenactment of a "Scrooge scene" from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," followed by guest speakers John and Jan Danza from Dickens Fellowship who gave a presentation on Dickens and his legacy.

Another highlight of the day was the transformation of the MS dining room into a busy mid-1800’s market. Each student was involved in some way, whether as a food vendor, street doctor, boardman, or shoeblack. They offered their goods and services to the fourth-grade classes who paid a visit to one of the "banks" at the start of the market. Goods and services could be purchased using the "pence" and "shillings" students had earned in classes for excellent work and good behavior.

After the market, students participated in a game and a festive round of Victorian-style dancing. For several weeks, students had been practicing traditional dances and were able to show off their waltzing skills in front of faculty members and parents.

Warmest Wishes This Winter Break

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:17:00 +0000

Even though there are no traces of snow, last Friday’s Preprimary Holiday Sing was a wonderful way to celebrate the season. It was a heartwarming sight to see our youngest students dressed up in their holiday attire performing songs about friendship, winter, and fun – a perfect way to send us off into winter break.

I wish you and your family a happy and safe time together and look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

Dessert and Discussion

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:29:00 +0000

Recently our eighth-graders had the chance to find what Upper School is really like.

Our eighth-graders visited Upper School for “Dessert and Discussion,” spending time with 28 tenth- and eleventh-graders over ice cream treats.

The older students began by recounting a personal experience in the Upper School, and then the members of the Class of 2016 had the opportunity to ask their questions about what they should expect. The discussion ended with the Upper school students sharing their advice.

As the parent of a freshman, I can readily appreciate some of the questions that eighth-grade students (and their families) have about the “step-up” to that next grade, and this was a wonderful occasion for them to benefit from the experiences of these Upper School “veterans.”

Middle School Students Work and "Play" Hard

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:58:00 +0000

A cast and crew of talented Middle School students recently wrapped up their fall production of “Treasure Island.” Starting back in September, students began their preparations for the play. Almost 80 students auditioned for 30 roles—quite an enthusiastic response! Rehearsals started in early October and not only did students work on their roles within the play, but they also learned about proper voice techniques, stage presence, and technical aspects of play production. Their dedication undoubtedly paid off as both productions of the play drew huge crowds. I commend these young thespians for their hard work!

While it is rare to find a middle school drama program in schools, it is even rarer to find one that is required of all students. Our students study drama and public speaking each year in Middle School in order to build a strong foundation of speaking skills. Drama helps students gain self confidence, communication skills, and focus, and expands their comfort zones by allowing them to take risks in a safe, supportive environment. This is especially important in today’s highly competitive 21st century culture.

Senior Speeches, a USM Hallmark

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:47:00 +0000

So far, I have had the pleasure of attending several Senior Speeches this fall. Watching your sons and daughters deliver with such clarity and poise is affirmation that we do provide all students with the opportunity and support required for them to reach their own individual best. Take a moment, and watch two seniors deliver their Senior Speech.

Senior Speeches are the culmination of opportunities our students enjoy to develop strong presentation skills – one of the essential skills for success in the 21st century.

Starting in the Preprimary and Lower School, “Show and Tell” is just the beginning. Learning the art of public speaking, as well as how to listen, spans all grade levels, concluding with the Lower School Moving Up Ceremony, where each student shares his or her favorite memory with the audience. The JK Snow Ball and fourth-grade Art Museum Docent Day are two examples along the way. By Middle School, the eighth-grade science fair and National History Day, together with the Middle School Drama program are key components of helping students acquire these all-important communications skills.

All of these experiences prepare students for the much-anticipated Senior Speeches. The Program requires each student to present a five- to seven-minute speech in front of the entire Upper School on a topic of importance to him or her. The presentations are a major rite of passage in the Upper School. During the time it takes for our freshmen to arrive at the podium during their senior year, they will have heard more than 350 Senior Speeches covering a variety of topics.

A Time to Give Thanks

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:34:00 +0000

A special thank-you to all the grandparents and special friends who spent the morning with us at School and to the Parents’ Association for organizing such a memorable event.

Wishing everyone in the USM community a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Food for Thought

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:16:00 +0000

As you can see from the photo, there is a long history of school mothers making sure that lunch is on the table.

While today it’s hardly about donning a white coat, several parents are rolling up their sleeves to help ensure we are not only offering healthy fare that the children will want to eat, but that we are also responsive to the concerns of families who have children with serious food allergies.

Our appreciation goes out to the Parents' Association subcommittee - Niven Kingwill, Lisa Balistreri, Suzanne Brixey, Ellie Sadeghi, and Gina Yauck, who serve on the USM Food Committee, along with USM faculty and administration members Jennifer Keppler, Kathleen Roebber, Alex Chou, Pamela Nosbusch, Carolyn Lengh, Rosie Lyons, and Tony Pergande. The committee has been reviewing the dining program school-wide and plans to announce their recommendations in early 2012.

Thanks also to Linda Mutschler who not only spent time working with the kitchen staff but wrote about it so interestingly in Sunday’s Journal Sentinel. In case you missed it, click here.

It Takes a Village

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:07:00 +0000

Even though I stopped by from time to time as everyone was working so hard to set up for Holiday Shops, I was in no way prepared for the Preview Party and this amazing event. It says so much about our School and our parent volunteers that this wonderful tradition has grown and evolved over time – 35 years to be exact. On behalf of the School, I would like to thank everyone who made this fabulous occasion possible. It is truly an amazing community building event as well a great fundraiser. Not only did I get the chance to meet so many extended members of our school family, I also got a head start on a little holiday shopping.

Another amazing Parents’ Association community event is coming up very soon. PA President Karen Huffman tells me there is another treat in store on the morning before Thanksgiving when USM celebrates Grandparents and Special Friends Day. It’s a wonderful opportunity for grandparents, extended family members, and special friends to observe first-hand the outstanding environment and education children receive here. Members of our school community from teachers to parents have shared with me how the children and their visitors treasure this opportunity to enjoy special activities by grade level. (By the way, so that no one feels left out, children who do not have grandparents, godparents, relatives, neighbors, or friends who are part of their local extended family circle have the option to be accompanied by an older child in the school.)

I am very much looking forward to making more USM connections ― hope to see you there.

Comparing Ourselves to the Nation’s Best

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Fuller) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:10:00 +0000

Director of Business Services Alex Chou and I recently attended the Joint Research and Planning Office (JRPO) annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

JRPO is a consortium of 52 schools begun in 1993 with the main goal of sharing relevant data. This is a sophisticated way of benchmarking ourselves against the very best large day schools in the country. The conference in Salt Lake City is held annually and offers an opportunity for heads of JRPO schools, as well as their business managers, to share professional development information and network.

Based on the JRPO comparative data, USM consistently stacks up as one of the very best amongst this elite group – especially in academics. We are the leading school in English language and literature and are above average in biology, chemistry, and physics.

USM has been a member of JRPO consortium for over 15 years. Alex Chou points out, “USM’s membership is a valuable tool to help the School validate the areas where we are the most successful, and provides insight into the areas of potential improvement compared to the best large day schools in the country.”