News Brief: Fall/Winter 2021-22

The Hungry Caterpillar

Kindergarten students spent their first weeks of school observing caterpillars transforming into butterflies. When the butterflies emerged from their chrysalises, the students gathered outside to release them and wish them well on their travels.

National Merit Semifinalists

Congratulations to the following seniors, who were named 2022 National Merit Semifinalists: Buwei Chen, Christian Ford, Zadan Mason, Ibrahim Motlani, Shaan Sharma, Logan Walls, and Joseph Zimmerman.

Authors Visit USM

USM welcomed several authors this past fall, both in person and virtually, including Atia Abawi (pictured), April Henry, Veera Hiranandani, Stef Wade, and Noé Álvarez. The authors’ books correlated with the students’ summer readings and various curricular components.

Developing Ethical Leaders

Beth Coyne, assistant head of school at The Country School in Madison, Connecticut, conducted professional development with faculty as part of USM’s Ethical Leadership program. Coyne helped faculty members think about additional ways to develop leadership capacities in their students.

Fall Cum Laude

The following 12 seniors were named fall Cum Laude Society inductees: Asher Bosworth, Aidan Brooks, Buwei Chen, Will Densmore, Zadan Mason, Donn Rhys Mondano, Ibrahim Motlani, Dara Omoloja, Divya Pandey, Rachael Schneck, Shaan Sharma, and Joe Zimmerman.

A New Addition

Thanks to a generous gift, students have a new tool at their disposal: a plasma cutter. It makes precise cuts in metal and expands the type of materials available for students to use in projects and competitions, including USM’s FIRST Robotics Team 6823.

REDgen Speaker Series

USM hosted its first REDgen speaker series event of the year with author Ana Homayoun, who spoke about social media wellness. The series is a partnership between USM and REDgen, a Milwaukee-based organization that fosters conversations around living a healthy, balanced life.

Students Host Clothing Drives

Upper School and Middle School students held clothing drives to collect items for Afghan refugees housed at Wisconsin’s Fort McCoy. Students collected coats, winter boots, blankets, and more. The drive was held in partnership with the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.

A “Bear” of a Good Time

Students in 1st grade held a party to finish their two-week unit about bears. As part of the curriculum,  students read books about bears, practiced bear math problems, and even chose their own teddy bear as a special gift from their teachers.

Strategic Design Underway

USM leaders began the strategic design process, which will lead to the school’s next strategic plan.

Team members will work to understand students’ needs, identify areas for improvement, and find solutions that will strengthen our school.

Roebber Earns Award

Kathleen Roebber, USM’s head school nurse, earned the 2021 Karen Smith Award for her work to help establish and maintain USM’s designation as a Project ADAM Heart Safe School, and safeguard against sudden cardiac death.

National Signing Day

Six seniors signed letters of intent to play on D1 or D2 athletic teams next year. They are (from left) Greta Hinke, Hannah Hoch, Brooke Robinson, Natalie Epperson and (not pictured) Molly Janssen and James Reese.