A Message from Steve Hancock: Spring/Summer 2022-23

Dear USM Family,

Summer is a wonderful time for reflection and renewal. With our students and faculty away for the summer, our halls, gyms, and outdoor spaces have been filled with Summer I.D.E.A.S. students ready for adventure, as well as Upper School students taking summer courses through our Summer Institute for Academic Advancement. Our students are keeping the learning going even when school is out for the summer.

Along with the buzz of summer programs, we have several large-scale projects that are underway on campus. Our iconic tower is getting a facelift this summer, with new windows, siding, and paint—all while protecting the signatures of decades of “lifers” preserved on the interior walls. We are excited to bring improved water to campus through a partnership with River Hills and Mequon for municipal water service. Additionally, our new food service provider, HandCut Foods, is preparing for a wonderful start to the school year.

During the past year, many of our teachers have been working to chart our course for the upcoming school year with the strategic plan as our guide. This organizational work will lead us to pilot new programs in the areas of citizenship, leadership, and academic excellence, all while strengthening our community and culture. Throughout the summer and beyond we will be highlighting this work through our strategic plan website, www.usmstrategicplan.org.

Of course, all of these projects (and many more) need outstanding leaders. I am excited to introduce several new members of my leadership team, below, who will be helping me execute this exciting work. Please join me in welcoming them to their new roles when you see (or meet) them! We will be introducing our new teachers and staff members to the community later this summer. USM is positioned as one of the strongest independent schools in the country, and I am so fortunate to lead such an incredible team of teachers and administrators. Together, we look forward to continuing to advance our school.

Steve Hancock
Head of School