Fifth Grade Students Practice Kindness

University School of Milwaukee 5th grade students attended a day-long kindness retreat on Thursday, April 9 in the Middle School gymnasium.

The retreat was led by Youth Frontiers, an organization that partners with schools to build communities where students thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. It 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, 11 of USM’s own Upper School students also participated in both days by leading small group discussions and activities. These students were:

• Penelope Bonnell '28
• Gisselle De La Rosa '28
• Lucy Duback '27
• PJ Heiny '28
• Angel High '28
• Kyle Horton '27
• Luke Kostiwa '27
• Beckett Newman '28
• Stella Nicoli '27
• Ainsley Polston '28
• Ashleigh Shadd '28

“This retreat created 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.”

The kindness retreat supports 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.