The Common Trust in Action

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A signed 5th grade class poster for the Class of 2034 sits on a black surface against a blurred wooden background.
The Common Trust in Action

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, fairness, and kindness. Each of the plaques 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 at its Opening Ceremony 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 honesty.

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).

  • Belonging
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A man stands on a polished wooden basketball court in the foreground, facing a large crowd of students seated in bleachers against a yellow wall in the background.
Two children hold a large certificate while walking across a gymnasium floor in front of a seated audience.
A man in a suit signs a document on a table in the foreground while another man stands nearby in a gym with blue and yellow banners in the background.
A woman signs a document on a black table in the foreground.
Two children hold a large certificate while walking across a gymnasium floor in front of a seated audience.
Adults and children gather around a table to sign a document in a gymnasium.
A young man and woman stand in front of bleachers holding a large white sign while surrounded by a crowd of students in a gymnasium.
A young man and woman stand on bleachers holding a large white sign while surrounded by a crowd of students in a gymnasium.
A signed 5th grade class poster for the Class of 2034 sits on a black surface against a blurred wooden background.