Living the Common Trust

At the beginning of every school year, Middle School students at University School of Milwaukee learn about community expectations for their division, including how to be respectful of themselves and others; and how to promote positive behaviors both at school and online. After discussing the importance of integrity and what it means to sign their name to an agreement, students are invited to sign a Common Trust plaque to indicate their intention of upholding USM’s Common Trust values of respect, trust, honesty, kindness, and fairness. The plaques, one for each grade level, are then displayed on a wall outside of the Middle School library. 

USM celebrates a specific Common Trust value each school year, which is introduced on Opening Day and highlighted in short speeches by Upper School prefects. The theme is incorporated into learning and activities for students in all grades throughout the school year. This year’s theme is respect.

Students in Preschool, Lower School, and Upper School also learn about and discuss Common Trust values as part of their daily classroom meetings (in PS/LS) and advising sessions and Community Time presentations (in US).