USM Gives Back

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, University School of Milwaukee students, teachers, and families organized and participated in several events during the month of November with the goal of giving back to the communities in which we live and work.

Faculty and Staff Hygiene Drive

USM faculty and staff held a hygiene product drive to support Kinship Community Food Center in Milwaukee. As part of their annual holiday party, faculty and staff collected much-needed hygiene products like bar soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, facial tissue, diapers, deodorants, and more for donation. These items are a high need at Kinship because they are not supported by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Faculty and staff who brought items to donate received extra raffle tickets that they could use for chances to win prizes of varying scope—including an extra personal day, hand-crafted items, and even a tattoo—that were donated by their colleagues and other individuals. The prize winners were chosen at the school’s holiday party on Thursday, Nov. 13. In total, USM donated 1,174 items, which were delivered to Kinship on Friday, Nov. 14 by Upper School students and Renee Weber, Upper School French teacher and community engagement program co-director.

Many thanks to the USM Community Crew for organizing the event, and to all who participated by donating an item!

Middle School Food Drive

Members of the Middle School Student Leadership Club hosted a week-long food drive through, and invited the Middle School community to donate items to Kinship. New this year, as part of ticket sales for the Middle School production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” guests were invited to bring a non-perishable food or hygiene item, which were collected in the Hammes Family Theatre Lobby prior to each performance. Items were collected by Middle School Leadership Club students for donation to Kinship. Students were assisted by Emily Ihrke, Middle School Academic Resource Center teacher and director of USM’s Ethical Leadership program. 

Spanish Honors Society

Upper School students from the Spanish Honors Society were collecting food and money needed to assemble Thanksgiving food baskets, which they have been doing for many years. The baskets were delivered to the Notre Dame School of Milwaukee for families who requested them. Cristina de Vizcarrondo, Upper School Spanish teacher and Spanish Honors Society advisor, provided assistance and supported the students in their work.

Upper School Service Trips

Upper School students had the opportunity to participate in several service trips in November, in which they could earn service hours needed to graduate. Students could assist at SEA Literacy, a nonprofit organization that provides tutoring, literacy, and mentoring services to refugee children in the greater Milwaukee area; Deerwood Crossing, a senior living facility; or Kinship, an organization that addresses hunger, isolation, and poverty in Milwaukee. The volunteer activities varied by location and included making Thanksgiving decorations, tutoring students, and unloading and organizing items for distribution. Renee Weber, Upper School French teacher and community engagement program co-director, helped organize and lead these service trips.