Retreats Promote Kindness, Courage in Middle School

University School of Milwaukee 7th grade students attended a day-long courage retreat on Thursday, May 1, while 5th grade students attended a day-long kindness retreat on Friday, May 2, both in the Middle School gym.

The retreats were led by Youth Frontiers, an organization that partners with schools to build communities where students thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

For 7th grade students, the retreat focused on how fear and pressure to follow the crowd can prevent students from acting with courage. It helped teach students how to ask themselves important questions like, "What effects do my actions have on my school, my classroom, my friends, and myself?"

For 5th grade students, the retreat focused on how kindness makes a positive difference at school and how unkind behaviors hurt others. The students learned how to use kindness as a “boomerang,” or something you first have to throw out before it comes back to you. The retreat leaders introduced the idea of being a hero for classmates by using tools like "ICI," which stands for interrupt, compliment, and invite away.

In addition to Youth Frontiers counselors, USM’s own Upper School students also participated in both days by leading small group discussions and activities.

“These retreats create a space where kids can be vulnerable and share things about themselves, which helps everyone grow in empathy,” said Elina Kats, Middle School counselor and retreat organizer. “Students are encouraged to think about ways they can improve our community. They’re asked to reflect and think about other people going through tough times, and consider things from their perspective. We can then continue those conversations in our advising groups, so the learning doesn’t stop when the retreat is over.”

These retreats support USM’s Common Trust, in which members of the USM community agree to relate to one another and the school with respect, trust, honesty, fairness, and kindness. They also support USM's guiding principle of inclusion, where a recognition of and respect for diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences help students learn to think broadly, critically, and independently.