Opening Day Ceremony Kicks Off 2022–23 School Year

University School of Milwaukee opened its doors for the 2022–23 school year with its Opening Day ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 30. This year the school has welcomed 1,142 students—a record enrollment for opening day.

USM seniors kicked off the event by walking to the front circle with kindergarten students before Board of Trustees President Karin Werner and Head of School Steve Hancock addressed the ceremony attendees. “I want the focus today to be about our incredible students and faculty, and the journey they will embark on this year,” said Hancock.

This year’s senior class prefects— Libby Cox, Miles Ferrer, Marko Gajic, Evelyn Graham, Osi Igwe, and Ellie Lin—followed with speeches on this year’s Common Trust value, fairness. The ceremony concluded with Middle School and Upper School Physical Education Teacher and Fitness Center Coordinator Don Forti, the school’s longest-tenured faculty member, ringing the ceremonial first bell of the 2022–23 school year. Minutes later, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was also held at the foot of the 8th grade stairs as the “seniors” of the Middle School formally started their school year.

The Parents’ Association welcomed new and returning parents to school with a coffee reception in the front circle before and after the opening ceremony.

Thank you to all of the USM community members who attended this year’s events.