Madrid @ USM

Although these first couple of weeks at school have been pretty intense, one truly exciting aspect has been having the opportunity to host a Spanish exchange student. About a dozen Spanish teenagers have come to USM from Colegio Internacional Altair in Madrid. They arrived here on September 3 and are staying until the September 16. This program was planned by one of our Spainish teachers and I'm looking forward to next semester, when everyone who has hosted a Spanish student will travel to Spain for Spring Break.

I’m hosting a Spanish teenager named Alex. Alex is so nice, and we’ve had a great time learning about each other and our respective cultures. It is fascinating to see that teenagers live differently all over the world. The Spaniards, for example, don’t eat dinner until nine or ten at night! Thus far, the Spanish kids have come to school, gone on day trips, and spent time at local museums. Everyone has had so much fun together!

The Back-to-School Dance was an added bonus. Because the theme was movies, my group and I dressed up like the cast of Peter Pan, and I think we had some of the best costumes there! There aren’t any school dances in Spain, so it was nice for the Spaniards to experience it. No surprise here, but it was also extremely fun for us Americans!

Adam '15 and Margaret '15

Football, Dancing, Fun!

The Back-to-School Dance is hands down one of the best dances of the year. A couple of friends and I wore some great costumes to the football game beforehand and cheered on our Wildcats. 

After the game, we headed over to where the dance was held. Within ten minutes of entering the gym to the dance, I was already tired and sweaty. Whether or not you think you can dance, I can promise you in that kind of atmosphere, you will think you’re Michael Jackson or something. Everyone is pumped for the school year and is energized and ready to have fun, which makes the Back-to-School so much fun and a big hit at USM. Check out some of the pictures our Dean of Students took!

Chris '15

Lexie '16

We have added a new blogger. Meet Lexie...

Name: Lexie '16

Grade: Sophomore

Current City: Mequon, WI

Activities: varsity field hockey, club field hockey captain, Global Scholars, Random Acts of Kindness Club, Student Council member, Admissions Student Ambassador, and founder of a local nonprofit organization

Hello! My name is Lexie. I am currently a sophomore at University School of Milwaukee. I have been going to USM since I moved here in third grade. When I first came to school here I was extremely nervous, as any new student would be. However, my assimilation to the USM environment happened smoothly and I have been loving USM for the past ten years.

The key reason that I enjoy USM so much is because of the people. When I get to class every Monday my teachers start by asking how our weekend was and what we did. As I see them walk through the halls they question me about the homework load, if I am understanding the class, and what they can do to improve the way they relay information. What I love most about the teachers, though, is that they know me on a personal level due to our small class sizes, and they are always willing to listen.

Another aspect of USM that I absolutely love is lunch. Not only because the food is delicious, but because we have assigned tables. Usually my friends from other schools think that assigned tables is awful, yet as a student I love it. I meet a lot of upperclassmen that I wouldn’t have known otherwise. One day you only see someone in the hall and the next day he is the person who is waving to you in the hallway due to your stellar conversation at lunch the day before.

Lastly, my favorite aspect about USM is the sports. While USM has a no-cut policy it is still an extremely strong program that the students love. Sports have by far allowed me to assimilate to the USM atmosphere the most because you meet new people. It is the best feeling when a senior walks up to you and congratulates you on the amazing goal or play you had the day before. I met my best friend, who attends USM, through the sport of field hockey. 

Field Hockey Tournament Champs!

I love USM so much, I am so glad that I moved from Green Bay to go to school here back in third grade. I never regret that decision of moving to USM for a minute.

Lexie '16

Meet the rest of our Ambassadors

Please read the intros for the rest of our Student Ambassadors:

Chris

Margaret

Adam

Sydney

Happy reading!

Adam '15

Name: Adam
Grade: 11
Hometown: River Hills, WI
Activities: Theater, Tennis, Photography, Yearbook (editor), Spanish Honors Society, Global Scholars, Admissions Student Ambassadors, Class Board, teaching assistant at nearby school

Hi! My name is Adam, and I’m going into my junior year at USM. While I’m sad to see the summer go, I’m excited to get back into the classroom and see all of my friends. I’m really looking forward to my junior year, a pivotal year in one’s high school career. When I’m not in the classroom, though, I’ll either be on the stage, the tennis court, the photography studio, or at some sort of club meeting. With everything offered at USM, my plate is going to be pretty full, and needless to say, junior year is going to be filled with a lot of excitement! In my down time away from school, I like to travel, cook, play with my dogs, and hang out with friends and family.

As I look back on my USM experience thus far, it dates back to before I even began attending University School. When I was in first grade, my parents sat me down and told me that we were moving from New York City to Milwaukee. Although Milwaukee is entirely different from the Upper West Side, I had family in Milwaukee, making the transition less daunting. Prior to the actual move, though, my parents and I toured several schools in Milwaukee. To this day, I remember being welcomed into the first-grade classroom with open arms, which was good, considering I wasn’t used to such a sprawling school campus- my school in New York was nothing of the sort. At first, I was intimidated by the long hallways and expansive dining hall, but knowing that I had a guide by my side the entire day put me at ease. I enjoyed my day at USM and saw myself going there. When I got a card signed by all of the students whose classroom I had visited, it reaffirmed to both my parents and I that USM was the place for me. Since arriving in second grade, I have guided many students with the hopes of providing them with a similarly pleasant experience. I’ve seen the school, faculty, and student body change and grow throughout my time here, and I firmly stand by the decision my family and I made some nine years ago. Now, I hope in reading our blogs, you can make the same commitment as well!

Margaret '15

Name: Margaret
Grade: Junior
Hometown: Elm Grove, WI
Activities: volleyball, baton twirling, Student Council, and Spirit Club

Hi, my name is Margaret and I am a junior at University School of Milwaukee. I was nervous to come as a new freshman, but there was really no need to be. Everyone was so welcoming, and by participating in a fall sport, volleyball, I had a great opportunity to get to know people before the school year started. One of my favorite things about USM is having a dining room, rather than a cafeteria. We have assigned lunch tables, with a teacher at each one, which changes every two cycles. This way, I was able to meet not only students in all grades, but also teachers, which made the transition even easier. Because of the dining room, I know almost every single student and teacher and the sense of community is very apparent.

Another one of my favorite things at USM is the round tables in the English classes, because it includes everyone and it makes book discussions more interactive. This format welcomed me into the conversation and made it easier for me to speak up as a new student. As a member of the Student Council, I have been able to be a part of another close-knit community. I really look forward to the meetings because they are fun and it feels great to help make such a wonderful community even better.

Chris '15

Name: Chris
Grade: Junior
Current city: Germantown, WI
Activities: hockey, hockey, music, hockey, Latin 1

Why hello there, my name is Chris. I am currently a junior at University School of Milwaukee. I am involved in Student Council, I serve as a Student Ambassador, and I am one of three captains on the Wildcat hockey team. As you might notice, I am certainly into the wonderful game of hockey. It is one of the many reasons why I was intrigued to come to USM.

Before I came to University School, I went to school in Slinger my whole life. I had always been comfortable with the same crowd and I thought I would stay with them until I graduated. Then, during my freshman year, going through an easy curriculum and a rough hockey season, my parents and I decided to go on the lookout for some private schools out east. After a lot of searching and choosing, I decided I didn’t want to move out of my house. Then, my hockey team happened to play the Wildcats during my freshman year. Since USM is a great private school with a good hockey team, my parents and I decided to look into it. After some impressive research of University School and getting beat 8-1 in a hockey game, I was immediately intrigued to try to get into the school.

School Spirit!!!

After some test, applications, and shadowing I was up and on my way to this new environment at University School of Milwaukee. The kids were very welcoming and the school was alive and entertaining. Soon, I felt right at home and seemed to fit right in with all the other kids. Being a small school, it’s so easy to meet everyone and get to know people easily. It might sound cheesy, but coming to USM was one of the best decisions I’ve made so far in my life.

Me (far right) and the other hockey captains!

Sydney '15

Name: Sydney
Grade: Junior
Hometown: Bayside, WI
Activities: cross country, running with friends, babysitting

Hi, my name is Sydney and I live in Bayside, Wisconsin. I will be a junior at University School of Milwaukee this fall. I am involved in cross country and I look forward to it every August. This fall will be my sixth season of cross country, however it will be my second season at University School. Last year I was a new sophomore and not only was I new to the school, I was new to the state. While most teens would take awhile to fit in, I immediately felt comfortable at USM. I made new friends on the cross country team along with friends in my classes. Students here are not afraid to introduce themselves to anyone new. This aspect was a positive way for me to start my experience at USM.

I grew to love my new friends so much that I didn’t want to leave them come summer. I went up north for seven weeks and got a job there this summer. While this was a great experience it is great to be back in Bayside. I am working on my summer reading and hanging out with friends to bring an end to this summer. Overall, I am looking forward to being a junior this fall.

Our Last Opening...

The first day of school was full of excitement and traditions! While we, the seniors, the Class of 2014, had our annual bagel breakfast in the parking lot, the rest of the Upper School is gathered in the lodge for their own breakfast. The first day is always special because we get to reconnect with friends who we haven't seen all summer. Another great tradition of the school is the Opening Ceremony, which officially starts the school year.

A new activity that we do involves having some of our fellow seniors escort the kids in kindergarten into the ceremony. It is a great bonding experience and a lot of fun! The ceremony itself is filled with speeches from Trustee members, Mrs. Fuller (Head of School), and our Prefects (student leaders). Each speech is about kindness, the theme for the year and one of the tenets of our Common Trust.

This year, however, the speeches seem more relevant to us, seeing as our classmates are the ones delivering the speeches. These are the last opening speeches that we will hear at USM, and it is both happy and sad at the same time. After the speeches, Mrs. Nosbusch (Head of Middle School) rings the opening bell to signify that the school year has officially begun!

After the ceremony, the Upper Schoolers, one big mob of white shirts and navy blazers, went to the theater for a kick off assembly with Mr. Cushman, our new Head of Upper School. From there we went about our first day, reuniting with teachers and wondering what our new classes have in store for us.

We are excited about our last year at USM. Looking forward to great memories!

Ben, Jack, and Harriette
Class of 2014 members