USM Today - Fall 2013 by University School of Milwaukee

FALL 2013

| a magazine for the usm community |

A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR

USMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FUTURE

HOMECOMING 2013

USM ATHLETICS PROGRAM HONORED

PAINTING THE PERFECT SCENE

2012-2013 ANNUAL ADVANCEMENT REPORT

in this issue 04 Homecoming 2013 02 Head of School Message

06 Events Around Campus 12 Commencement 2013

A Strategic Plan for USM’s Future

16 Project-Based Learning Conference

24 Get to Know the 2013-2014 Annual Giving Program Co-Chairs

Painting the Perfect Scene

32 Alumna Helps Girls Reclaim Childhood

40 Athletics Program of Excellence Award

18 Academic Achievement

26 Alumni Board 34 Class Notes 37 In Memoriam 38 Focus on Faculty 42 Parents’ Association ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

22 Board of Trustees 28 Alumni Events 30 Legacy Students

USM TODAY

school store Visit our revamped

As you can see, the USM School Store received a much-needed facelift over the

summer. The move from its previous location in the School’s basement to its brighter, more inviting position on the first floor of the Middle School makes the store more visible and accessible for parents, alumni, students, and faculty members. Stop in to the store, located in the old Middle School computer lab between the choir and drama classrooms, on your next visit to campus for all of your school supply and USM spirit wear needs!

USM Today is published by University School of Milwaukee three times per year. USM is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school for students from prekindergarten through grade 12. Our editorial staff has made every attempt to ensure the accuracy of information reported and we apologize for any inadvertent errors that may have occurred.

2013-2014 LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Tim Eilbes Director of Marketing and Communications

HEAD OF SCHOOL

MANAGING EDITOR

ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

Ryan Cardarella Communications Coordinator CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Julie Piwowarczyk Associate Director of Communications CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Laura Fuller Gregg Bach HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

Stuart Cushman HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Pamela Nosbusch

Maria Stone Director of Development

HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

Kayte Parkin Annual Giving Manager

PRESIDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN

PRESIDENT, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD

Carolyn Lengh Richard Seesel

McDill Design

Thomas W. Parker ’79

PHOTOGRAPHY

PRESIDENT, PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

James Schnepf

Stacey Radke

Visual Image Photography

To change your address or unsubscribe from the USM Today mailing list, please contact the USM Advancement Department at 414.540.3339 or usmadvancement@usmk12.org.

The new USM Strategic Plan addresses the importance of

who give to the Annual Giving Program and Endowment Fund,

continuing to provide the excellent academic experience that we

as well as those who have contributed through charitable gift

are known for, while embedding a culture of leadership for our

planning. I also greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication of

faculty and students and maintaining a financially sustainable

all of our volunteers, including those individuals involved in the

structure that provides us with the ability to “think big.” Our primary

Parents’ Association and Wildcat Booster Club. Our Annual

goal remains ensuring that our students receive the best possible

Advancement Report is included inside this issue of USM Today,

education in every sense of the word—not only in the state of Wisconsin, but also nationally. Our Strategic Plan more formally introduces the concepts of global education and engagement, professional leadership, and innovation, and focuses on the importance of providing our students with an experiential learning component that ensures the vital hands-on

HEAD OF SCHOOL LAURA FULLER As we arrive at the midpoint of the first semester of another School year, my third at University School of Milwaukee, I’m reminded of just how busy this year has already been for us.

learning experiences necessary for a true and demonstrated understanding of concepts,

Our primary goal remains ensuring that our students receive the best possible education, in every sense of the word–not only in the state of Wisconsin, but also nationally.

skills, and ideas. The feature story (beginning

and I encourage you to look through it and join me in thanking everyone who provides support to USM. It is truly an honor to lead a school with so many passionate individuals involved and invested in its success. USM is without a doubt one of the finest independent schools in the country, and I look forward to continuing to work with you as we strive to make it the best. In a continuing effort to keep you well-informed of all of the great things going on at USM, we will

on page 7) in this issue of USM Today goes into greater detail

now be publishing three issues of USM Today each year instead of

about the process and expectations of our new Strategic Plan, and

two, as yet another way to keep you involved and aware of all of the

a copy of the Strategic Plan document has also been included

exciting things going on at USM. The three issues of our enhanced

with this mailing.

magazine will publish in October, February, and June, and

We started on Opening Day this year with a record

I’m also reminded of how important collaboration is

enrollment of 1,120 students, which included 182 new

in education, and some very important strategic-level

It is truly an exciting time to be a part of USM, and I recognize

students and 113 new families, adding even more vibrancy

planning has taken place over the last 15 months. The result

that all of this work, and the outcomes from it, would not be possible

and life to our School. Our 1:1 Program, which provides

of these efforts has been the development and approval of

without the support of our many donors and volunteers who give

students with a dedicated personal computing device

our new Strategic Plan, a plan that sets a course for USM

of themselves. I am thankful for our many donors, including those

throughout the school day and beyond, has now been fully

for the next five years and beyond. Collaboration was vital

integrated in grades 3-12. Our athletic program received a

in the development of this plan—collaboration amongst

distinctive honor in being named the 2013 Interscholastic

our faculty, administration, School parents, students,

Sports Program of Excellence by Coach and Athletic

Board of Trustees, and our strategic planning consultant,

Director magazine, recognizing our Athletics Department

Ian Symmonds & Associates. I have to say that this has

for its accomplishments. And we just recently completed

been the most comprehensive and inclusive planning

our accreditation visit by ISACS, the Independent Schools

process that I have personally been involved in during

Association of the Central States, and are expecting our

my career. The result is a plan that goes well beyond the

final evaluation back in early January. This anticipated

traditional independent school strategic plan, which

the members of the University School community, accept the Common Trust. We agree to relate to one another and the School with:

reaccreditation will serve as confirmation of the excellent

typically reads more like an operational enhancement

RESPECT, TRUST, HONESTY, FAIRNESS, AND KINDNESS

work by USM’s faculty and administration.

plan, and positions USM well for the future.

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

this change is just one of the things that have been keeping us busy.

the common trust The 2013-2014 tenet is kindness

We,

Willie the Wildcat took on the Klement’s Racing Sausages in a tight footrace at the All-School Homecoming Pep Rally.

homecoming 2013 OCTOBER 1-5

The USM community comes together to showcase their Wildcat pride during Homecoming 2013 Homecoming 2013 looked to build on the momentum of last year’s events with a few notable twists. Festivities began on Tuesday with special dress days for students across all three divisions. On Wednesday, students gathered at Don Forti Stadium to celebrate at the School’s second annual All-School Homecoming Pep Rally. The event was highlighted by an appearance by the Klement’s Racing Sausages, who were defeated by Willie the Wildcat in a rousing footrace. The traditional Upper School pep rally on Friday afternoon was followed by the inaugural Homecoming BBQ, open to all parents and alumni before the football game, in which USM defeated St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy 26-16. Saturday morning introduced a new Homecoming event, as our younger Wildcats took in a full slate of carnival games, as well as bounce houses and face painting, during Willie’s Fall Fun Fest. Students then attended Saturday morning’s athletic events, including a 4-0 victory for our boys’ soccer team against Kenosha Christian Life, and a 14-0 win against Lake Country Lutheran at the Tessa Nowakowski ’10 Memorial Field Hockey Game. The weekend festivities concluded with the Upper School Homecoming Dance on Saturday evening.

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

USM community members connect at a Homecoming BBQ prior to the football game.

Willie’s Fall Fun Fest . Our younger Wildcats enjoy an inflatable slide at Willie’s Fall Fun Fest.

events around campus

A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR

USM’S FUTURE

USM is a great school. There really isn’t much to fix, and because of this reality, you have now earned the right to plan strategically and OPENING DAY 2013

ISACS TEAM VISIT

Seniors escorted our senior kindergarten students to USM’s Opening Day ceremony in August. The ceremony featured speeches on the Common Trust tenet of kindness, Head of Middle School Pamela Nosbusch ringing the first bell of the 2013-2014 School year, and an Opening Day ribbon cutting to kick off the year for our Middle School students at the 8th-grade stairs.

USM welcomed the ISACS (Independent Schools Association of the Central States) visiting team in October as part of the School’s accreditation process. The team, comprised of administrators from independent schools across the country, met with students, faculty, and staff as they assessed the School during their three-day visit.

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

think big

Work related to a strategic plan usually starts out in an inspired fashion, but very often evolves into a simple process, one that creates a lot of words on paper and lays out plans to tweak this, build that, enhance here, and measure impact there. As University School of Milwaukee embarked on the creation of a new strategic plan in 2012, the School felt, even during the earliest conversations, that the time was right for a more unique strategic plan, one with bold thinking and actions—the type that would take several years to plan, refine, and execute but would set a course for USM for many years to come.

– Ian Symmonds, principal, Ian Symmonds & Associates

When Laura Fuller began as University School of Milwaukee’s Head of School a little more than two years ago, it didn’t take her long to realize that she was inheriting the reins to a school with more than just a top national reputation. She knew that she was also leading the charge of an excellent and passionate faculty, one that was well-versed in researching and implementing best practices in education, but that also enjoyed setting the bar high. That knowledge also drove her thinking about how to approach a strategic plan. “USM’s previous Strategic Plan, spanning five years from 2006 through 2010 under the direction of [former USM Head of School] Ward Ghory, was a very thoughtful and well-executed plan, one which focused much attention on adding new, state-of-the-art square footage and making significant enhancements to facilities that had not been addressed in many years,” Fuller said. “It was very similar to the types of strategic plans I had been a part of at other schools. It was exactly what USM needed at the time—a refocus of energy and resources on readying the USM campus for the 21st-century student while maintaining the warm and welcoming feeling that has always been a part of USM.” As Fuller contemplated the direction of a new strategic plan to advance the School, her thoughts, like those of her predecessor, were lofty. She talked often with faculty and staff about the possibilities as she envisioned them, and collectively they agreed that USM could—and should—be elevated to an even higher level. “Enrollment was well-managed and very steady,” Fuller said. “Student test scores were also very consistent and at an all-time high. We were in a period of very low student and faculty turnover in all three of our divisions. The physical campus was in excellent shape. We felt strongly that USM was clearly on a positive trajectory and was well-prepared to remain strong through any potential future challenges we might be faced with. The time was right for USM to be bold.” But Fuller would continually remind herself and her team of one important point. “I knew that we could not afford to shift focus away from two things that make USM a great school—our academic reputation and our incredible faculty. I also knew that, if we were to consider ‘bold,’ we needed to keep a strong focus on the student experience of the School as we considered new opportunities. Our work needed to be truly strategic in nature.” The USM administration and Board of Trustees decided that it could benefit from the guidance of a professional consultant about how best to proceed towards a bold new strategic plan. Ian Symmonds & Associates (ISA), a leading research and strategy firm that works with private and independent schools, colleges and universities, and other

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

host signature event for enhanced engagement

develop revenue strategy non-profit organizations, was one of the groups that were vetted. It became clear that ISA was a firm that possessed the ability to provide guidance on a plan that would be unique and a perfect fit. “Right from the beginning we had a great rapport with Ian Symmonds and his team,” said Andrew Petzold, a member of USM’s Board of Trustees, School parent, and Co-Chair of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee. “We knew that we would be getting something new and outside the box from them, something that was custom-built for USM. We weren’t sure exactly where this relationship and the process would take us, but we knew that it was a trip that we were excited to get started on.”

It was July of 2012 when ISA was selected to partner with USM on development of its Strategic Plan. In the 15 months since that relationship began, five phases of USM’s planning process have taken place—the establishment of an overall process and timeline; an intensive phase of research and information-gathering activities; an evaluation period to examine all of the feedback and research results; several months of work on the development and

develop marketing and communication plan

form community partnerships

refinement of a working strategic plan; and, most recently, the finalization of USM’s Strategic Plan. “The best part of this entire process has been that so many members of the USM community have been included in it, and their opinions and feedback have been heard,” said Kate Gay, Upper School English teacher and member of the Steering Committee. “I can vividly recall the School-wide retreat that was held last December, which had participation by USM parents, students, faculty, staff, and members of the greater Milwaukee community. It was clear even then that what we were working towards was something new and exciting.” In all, six Steering Committee work groups had been established. Gay was part of the work group that focused on experiential learning. The other work groups were focused on teaching and professional development, leadership, global education, curriculum design and innovation, and the positioning of USM as Milwaukee’s primary and secondary education thought leader. Each of the work groups was made up of a mix of Trustees, members, faculty, staff, and current parents. A total of more than 60 individuals were directly involved as part of the work groups. “It was clear that we had a lot of passionate individuals with great ideas to share,” Gay said.

successful implementation

inventory, research, assess, coordinate resources

From left Strategic Plan Steering Committee Co-Chairs Sangeeta Khanna and Andrew Petzold at the Steering Committee work group celebration on September 30. Head of School Laura Fuller delivers the Strategic Plan presentation to the assembled crowd; Ian Symmonds of Ian Symmonds and Associates addresses celebration attendees.

or cenntoevartfive in g& teaecsshiionnal prloefadership

cenrtgelrobal fo ucation & ed gagement en

r centreiernftoia expearning l le

Sangeeta Khanna, the parent of three USM alumni and a Trustee, co-chaired the Strategic Planning Steering Committee along with Petzold. “I was so impressed with the collective effort and energy of the work group participants,” Khanna said. “Those involved knew that the work they were doing was vitally important to the direction of USM, and the level of engagement by all members was a constant reminder of why USM has always been and will remain such an excellent school.”

USM’s new Strategic Plan is no small undertaking. The current thinking is that it will take at least five years to fully implement the Plan. It is also expected that the Plan will continue to evolve and be refined, especially during the first 12-18 months, as additional research around some of the specific action steps is conducted and evaluated. While the estimated financial needs for many parts of the implementation have already been determined, those will also likely evolve as the research continues to shape the specific details and activities. As the Plan took shape over the course of the last 15 months, it came to focus on three main areas: the Center for Innovative Teaching and Professional Leadership, the Center for Global Education and Engagement, and the Center for Experiential Learning. Many of the elements developed by the leadership and curriculum design and innovation work groups became threads that have been interwoven into the goals and strategies of the three new Centers. And the results of the efforts of the thought leadership work group get right to the heart of another important goal of this Strategic Plan—making USM more relevant in the greater Milwaukee community. Although some of the details will continue to emerge and evolve, there is no question about the School’s commitment to ensuring the success of the Strategic Plan implementation. All of its proposed action steps are intended to benefit USM’s students. Creating a “Best Place to Work” initiative to enhance recruitment and retention of expert faculty and staff will provide students with the best teachers and mentors.

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

Increasing USM’s collaboration with Milwaukee’s education and business communities will open doors to new networking, internship, and career opportunities. Exploring exchange programs with foreign partner schools and the development of an innovation school might help create more well-rounded students with a broader range of perspectives. Developing and enhancing capstone and “diploma-designated” academic experiences in global education, experiential learning, and service learning will highlight our students’ achievements to college admissions officers. Regardless of the specific initiatives, or how they might be refined in the work yet to come, there has been an intentional effort to remain grounded by the core of USM’s mission, which is focused on student support and success, while thinking strategically about ways to enhance the student experience. It is the belief of everyone involved in the creation of this new Strategic Plan that its elements and outcomes will, above all else, enhance the overall experience for all USM students, including the richness of the academic programs, the opportunities to collaborate with external partners, and the value of a USM education as known by colleges and universities, internship coordinators and employers, and leaders who seek to better the communities in which they live and work. The fact that the Strategic Plan will position USM well from the standpoint of long-term financial sustainability will also be a great benefit, since it will allow the School to maintain a competitive yet flexible tuition rate, and provide for even greater access to those students who will thrive at USM.

“What I am most excited about is that so many of our current USM students and families will benefit from the enhancements that will emerge from this Strategic Plan, to say nothing of the families who will become a part of USM in the coming years,” Fuller said. “Not everything will happen in the first year, or even in the first couple of years, but there will be changes that start to happen right away. “I truly believe that as the USM community advances this Plan, the way in which USM is viewed—by the greater Milwaukee community, on a national level, and even within our own walls—will change for the better. And as that happens, the perception of a USM student, and of a USM graduate, will become even greater than what it is today. And as those teachers and parents who are charged with educating and mentoring these students, we will know that perception is also a reality.”

Clockwise from top: Trustee David Fritz and Assistant Head of School Gregg Bach, Head of School Laura Fuller, and Board of Trustees President Richard Seesel discuss the Strategic Plan at the September 17 Board of Trustees meeting.

Congratulations to the Class of 2013 USM congratulates 76 graduates The Alumni Association welcomed 76 graduates, including 10 children of alumni (see page 14), into its membership at Commencement 2013. Congratulations to the Class of 2013 on all of their accomplishments, and best of luck to them in college! Commencement 2013 featured an inspiring speech from Raj Chetty ’97, professor in the Department of Economics and director of the Lab for Economic Applications and Policy at Harvard University. Chetty was also valedictorian of his 1997 USM class. Chetty was named one of 23 MacArthur Foundation Fellows in 2012 for his work quantifying the value of a good teacher, and had his most recent research on the principles of upward economic mobility published in The New York Times. To read Commencement speeches from Head of School Laura Fuller, retired Head of Upper School Roseann Lyons, and valedictorian Kern Khanna, visit www.usmk12.org/news.

Guiding Students to Find the Best Fit

COMMENCEMENT 2013 AWARDS Valedictorian Kern Khanna Salutatorian Nishad Agrawal The Trustees’ Cup Michelle Bal Samuel Levatich Alumni Key Award Sarah Severson Nishad Agrawal Roseann Lyons Pearl Award Brittany Neihardt Toran Marks Peter Engelmann Freshman Academic Award David D’Ambrisi William B. Church Sophomore Academic Award Tyler Smith Doolitle Schroeder Junior Academic Award Benjamin Sampson Harvey J. Ramaker Freshman Citizenship Award Samuel Wells Margaret E. Stratton Memorial Sophomore Citizenship Award Philip Shuler Mary P. Hill Junior Citizenship Award Emily Waples

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

Mary Basson English Award Tiwadeye Lawal

Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award Derek Rott

Fine Arts Department Awards

Marion Chester Read Sportsmanship Trophy Meredith Jeffers

Band Maria Steinert Choral Music Kimberly Henrickson Civic Music Association Connor Scott Mary Nohl Outstanding Achievement In Art Chloe Konnor Orchestra Fatima Gomez Theatre Zachary Schultz World Language Department Awards Chinese John Geilfuss French Sophia Rouze Latin Emily Chrobak Spanish Emma Kulick Stephen Bruemmer History Award Andrea Roos

Henry H. Uihlein Sportsmanship Trophy Daniel Taylor Booster Club JV Sportsmanship Award Alanna McCauley Hayden Heun Rotary Club Of Milwaukee North Shore Service Award Maahum Mehdi Michael David Routier W. H. Brady Academic All-Stars Madeline Ecker Nishad Agrawal National Achievement Scholarship Finalist Tiwadeye Lawal National Merit Scholarship Finalists Nishad Agrawal Michelle Bal Elizabeth Bodalski Claudia Dantoin Emma Kulick Tiwadeye Lawal Samuel Levatich Madeline Lucey Brittany Neihardt Connor Scott Jacob Watton

Cum Laude Nishad Agrawal Fatima Gomez Kern Khanna Emma Kulick Samuel Levatich Brittany Neihardt John Roethle Connor Scott Madeline Ecker John Geilfuss Nathan Gitter Tiwadeye Lawal Andrea Roos Zachary Schultz Jacob Watton Global Scholars Michelle Bal Joseph Clark Madeline Ecker John Geilfuss Kimberly Henrickson Theodora Hermberg Steven Kaplan-Pistiner Kern Khanna Emma Kulick Tiwadeye Lawal Abigail Leitschuh Samuel Levatich Gregory Markman Cydni McMillian Raythan Pillai Caitlin Prewitt John Roethle Cameron Roman Andrea Roos Henry Schlenker Benjamin Walker William Wong

The college guidance process at USM is about more than just ensuring that applications are filled out and submitted on time. This four-year program, led by Director of College Guidance Susan Zarwell and Associate Director of College Guidance Robin Miller, is devoted to all aspects of the college search, preparation, and application process. The ultimate goal of the program is to help students find a school that is the best fit for them. USM’s counselors can effectively implement a comprehensive college guidance program and find that best-fit school due in part to a small

student-to-college counselor ratio. For the Class of 2013, the ratio is 48:1, which compares well with the most recent national ratio of over 450:1. Ninety-six percent of students in the Class of 2013 were accepted to their first- or second-choice school, with 92 percent attending a first- or second-choice. Zarwell said, “We attribute our high success rate to the fact that we begin the process with the student in mind and let his or her needs drive and shape the process throughout. Because we get to know our students so well, we can help them make informed decisions every step of the way.”

CLASS OF 2013 COLLEGE MATRICULATION American University Boston University Bryn Mawr College Carroll University–Wisconsin Chapman University Colorado College Dickinson College Duke University Emory University Furman University Georgetown University Grinnell College Hamilton College–New York Lawrence University Lewis & Clark College Macalester College

Marquette University Miami University–Ohio Middlebury College Milwaukee School of Engineering Northwestern University Oxford College of Emory University Saint Louis University Savannah College of Art and Design Southern Methodist University St. Norbert College Stanford University The College of Wooster The University of Alabama The University of Iowa Tufts University University of Chicago

University of Colorado at Boulder University of Denver University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign University of Richmond University of St. Thomas University of Vermont University of Wisconsin–Madison Valparaiso University Vanderbilt University Wake Forest University Washington and Lee University Washington University in St. Louis Williams College Yale University

8th-Grade Closing Ceremony

Class of 2013 Children of Alumni The following graduating seniors were recognized as USM Children of Alumni. For a listing of all USM legacy students, see page 30. Back from left Nathan Florsheim, Caitlin Prewitt, Hayley Gebhardt, Annie Reardon, and Joseph Clark. Front from left Robby Schmidt, Elka Daroga, Sarah Severson, Alexis Miller, and John Geilfuss.

Class of 2013 Agents Each year, graduates are chosen as college class agents, representatives who will help organize their five-year class reunion and serve as a liaison between USM and their classmates. Congratulations to these Class of 2013 agents. From left Joey Judge, Michelle Bal, Sarah Severson, Brittany Neihardt, and John Geilfuss.

In June, 85 8th-graders participated in the Middle School Closing Ceremony. Students were welcomed to the Upper School by Roseann Lyons, retired Head of Upper School. Students who received special recognition at an end-of-year assembly were: Academic Recognition (determined by 8th-grade cumulative grade point average through third quarter): Elizabeth Keuler, William Koch, and Kailas Sane Citizen Recognition (determined by student voting): Elizabeth Keuler and Blake Welsh

4th-Grade Moving Up Ceremony Alumni Service Award The Alumni Service Award is given to an alumnus or alumna in grateful recognition towards his or her work in the betterment of University School of Milwaukee and the community in which it serves. This past May, the Alumni Association Board honored Fred Geilfuss ’71, as the 2013 Alumni Service Award recipient. Geilfuss is a former Trustee and served as Alumni Association Board President from 2004-2007. His son John Geilfuss ’13 received his diploma at the Commencement ceremony, joining Robert ’07 and Alice ’04. USM thanks Fred Geilfuss for all of his hard work! From left Lucas Havens ’04, Alice Geilfuss Havens ’04, John Geilfuss ’13, Anne Hamilton, and Fred Geilfuss ’71.

At the annual Moving Up Ceremony, 65 4th-graders shared their favorite Lower School moments. Best of luck in the Middle School!

In future publications, Commencement coverage will be found in the June issue of USM Today.

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

Professional Development Brings Project-Based Learning to the Classroom

Exploring ways to develop projects that help students take ownership of their work and promote collaboration with their teachers and peers, more than 70 University School of Milwaukee faculty members participated in USM’s Project-Based Learning (PBL) Conference held on August 5–7.

Following the full group instructional period, faculty dispersed into groups of four to six in order to develop and craft their projects. The workshops were designed as a series of critiques and revisions that enabled participants to polish their plans of action and develop final projects that could be implemented in the classroom.

Project-based learning provides teachers with a new way to evaluate and assess student comprehension while giving students the opportunity to explore real-world problems and challenges. To incorporate those principles into their classrooms, participating faculty members engaged in a series of informational workshop sessions with Peter Cobb, President of Cobb and Associates, a private, educational consulting firm out of Atlanta, before working on their curriculum-specific projects with their colleagues.

The origin of USM’s Project-Based Learning Conference dates back to July 2012, when seven faculty members traveled to Detroit to learn about project-based learning and its implementation into school curriculum from Cobb. Cobb, the former headmaster of the Nichols School in Buffalo, N.Y. and Pace Academy in Atlanta, helped the small group of teachers create projects that were implemented throughout the 2012-2013 School year. The participating USM faculty members, citing a noticeable increase in student interest and enthusiasm, were impressed enough with the results that they invited Cobb back to campus this summer to teach on a larger scale at the Conference.

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

As an art teacher, project-based

The conference was a great way

One of the main foci of PBL is to

learning is not totally new to me.

to connect with our colleagues

reach out and make connections

Most art lessons center around

and hear about what they are

with the community. It encourages

a project, involve critiques of

teaching. It was a great way to get

teachers and students to find

finished work and work in

students excited about learning.

mentors outside of USM as well as

progress, and provide lots of

The hope is that in having

utilize the talents and knowledge

latitude for student input and

students make important

of the people within our own School

choices. It was wonderful to see

decisions and choices, they

community. Having a real audience

how art, world language, music,

will become more invested

and the presentation of critical

physical education, and other

in the learning.

questions from a variety of people

classroom teachers can work

– Fourth Grade Teacher Gina Bongiorno

helps students feel like they are not

together to greatly increase the

learning something simply to restate

enthusiasm, participation, and

the information to the teacher. If

impact of lessons. This is my

they are actually sharing their ideas

second workshop and the

with the larger community, they

greatest value was being able

become the real teachers and

to plan lessons with other USM

masters, and the teachers become

teachers. Hopefully, planning

the managers of learning.

for project-based learning will

– Fifth Grade Science Teacher Nicola De Torre

become a regular practice. – Lower School Art Teacher Bob Geniusz

To read how Fourth Grade Teacher Cheryl Bair plans to integrate project-based learning in her classroom, see page 38.

academic achievement

NATIONAL MERIT

National Merit Semifinalists From left Derek Rott, Aaron Bickert, Emily Waples, Benjamin Sampson, Charlotte Kovach, Klara Kobylinski, Joseph Harris, Julia Hanson, John Hiller, Benjamin Zaydman, and Jason Seter.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation honors academic excellence by awarding scholarships to the nation’s top students each year. Eleven students were named Semifinalists in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Competition, representing 12 percent of the USM Class of 2014. Congratulations to the following seniors: Aaron Bickert, Julia Hanson, Joseph Harris, John Hiller, Klara Kobylinski, Charlotte Kovach, Derek Rott, Benjamin Sampson, Jason Seter, Emily Waples, and Benjamin Zaydman. About 1.5 million juniors entered the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2012 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, with less than one percent receiving recognition as Semifinalists. These students will have the opportunity next spring to compete for some 8,000 National Merit Scholarships worth about $35 million. To be considered for a Scholarship, students must advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Winners are chosen based on academic records, SAT scores, extracurricular and leadership experiences, and essays.

NATIONAL HISPANIC RECOGNITION PROGRAM

The College Board has honored two seniors in its 2013-2014 National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP). Giulia Ricca has been named a Scholar and Eric Hilgendorf received an Honorable Mention from the Program. Giulia Ricca ’14

The NHRP identifies academically outstanding Hispanic/Latino high school students. Recipients of the awards are selected based on their cumulative junior-year grade point average and are selected from a pool of students who achieve a minimum score for their region Eric Hilgendorf ’14 on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Although the NHRP does not provide monetary awards, being recognized is an important academic achievement. ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM AWARDS

National Merit Commended Students From left Dominique Tlomak, Brooke Hopkins, Griffin Damron, Giulia Ricca, and Megan Waples.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation also recognized five USM seniors as Commended Students this fall, honoring them for their exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the qualifying test used for program entry, the 2012 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Congratulations to Griffin Damron, Brooke Hopkins, Giulia Ricca, Dominique Tlomak, and Megan Waples. Additionally, senior Olivia Williamson was named a Semifinalist in the National Achievement Scholarship Program, which recognizes outstanding accomplishment among Black American high school students. Semifinalists have Olivia Williamson ’14 the opportunity to continue in the competition towards Finalist status and vie for approximately 800 Achievement Scholarships worth nearly $2.5 million. The competition for Finalist designation progresses in the same manner as it does for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program is a rigorous academic program that provides students with the opportunity to take a college-level course while in high school and earn advanced placement or credit in college by obtaining a qualifying score on the AP exam. The AP Program offers several AP Scholar Awards that recognize high school students who have proven college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. Although no monetary award is offered, this achievement is acknowledged on any score report that is sent to colleges. The following are the results of the May 2013 exams.

National AP Scholar (students who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams): Nishad Agrawal ’13, Claudia Dantoin ’13, John Geilfuss ’13, Nathan Gitter ’13, Fatima Gomez ’13, Kern Khanna ’13, Tiwadeye Lawal ’13, Brittany Neihardt ’13, and John Roethle ’13. AP Scholar with Distinction (students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams): Heidi Affi ’13, Nishad Agrawal ’13, Michelle Bal ’13, Elizabeth Bodalski ’13, Emily Chrobak ’13, Joseph Clark ’13, Claudia Dantoin ’13, Madeline Ecker ’13, John Geilfuss ’13, Nathan Gitter ’13, Fatima Gomez ’13, Julia Hanson ’14, Kimberly Henrickson ’13, Theodora Hermberg ’13, Meredith Jeffers ’13, Josiah Judge ’13, Kern Khanna ’13, Chloe Konnor ’13, Emma Kulick ’13, Kiran Kuttickat ’14, Tiwadeye Lawal ’13, William Lawton ’13, Abby Leitschuh ’13, Samuel Levatich ’13, Madeline Lucey ’13, Brittany Neihardt ’13, Raythan Pillai ’13, Giulia Ricca ’14, John Roethle ’13, Cameron Roman ’13, Derek Rott ’14, Zachary Schultz ’13, Connor Scott ’13, Jason Seter ’14, Jacob Watton ’13, William Wong ’13, Samuel Wrenn ’13, and Benjamin Zaydman ’14. AP Scholar with Honors (students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams): Aaron Bickert ’14, Fady Botros ’13, Joseph Harris ’14, Claire Inda ’13, Klara Kobylinski ’14, Adeline Lerner ’14, Michael Lukas ’13, Gregory Markman ’13, Alexander Matthaeus ’14, Maahum Mehdi ’14, Andrea Roos ’13, Dominique Tlomak ’14, Gregory Trinkl ’14, Benjamin Walker ’13, Emily Waples ’14, and Megan Waples ’14. AP Scholar (students who received scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams): Shawn Dahlke ’13, Griffin Damron ’14, Hayley Gebhardt ’13, Spencer Haas ’13, Laura Harvey ’13, John Hiller ’14, Brooke Hopkins ’14, Steven Kaplan-Pistiner ’13, Charlotte Kovach ’14, Nishchal Kumar ’13, Peixuan Li ’14, Sam Meyers ’15, Alexis Miller ’13, Juliet Miller ’14, Luisa Perez ’14, Sara Prising ’14, Sophia Rouze ’14, Peter Ruvalcaba ’13, Benjamin Sampson ’14, Henry Schlenker ’13, Robert Schmidt ’13, and Benjamin Zwief ’14.

Amy Langenecker, USM’s technical director for the past 14 years, agrees with the critical importance of set design. Each School year, she is charged with set design for four drama productions–two Middle School and two Upper School. It is her job to conceptualize and build sets for these shows, all while being mindful of her budget, time, and the space she has available to bring her vision to life. “I try to put everything that we need for a show on stage. It’s obviously a long process, from first reading a script to the start of the production, and I’m always looking for new techniques and tricks,” Langenecker said. She did just that this past summer when, thanks to a USM “Think Big” grant, Langenecker attended a three-week scene painting course at Cobalt Studios in White Lake, N.Y. Cobalt is one of the country’s premier scenic painting and training studios, providing scenery for many large-scale production companies and theatres across the nation. Having attended workshops led by Cobalt in the past, Langenecker was excited to return. “If you’re going to learn scene painting, Cobalt is the place to go. Not only are the artists there experts in their field, it’s also a place to establish wonderful relationships. If I’m standing in front of a piece of scenery that I can’t get quite right, I can call or email them and they’re willing to help.” THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE DETAILS The course at Cobalt focused on painting

Set design is crucial to the success of a stage production. It gives the audience information about the show’s setting and creates a home in which the actors interact with each other and their surroundings.

flat scenery and drops—the hard walls that are wheeled on and off stage and the soft fabric or canvas pieces that hang as backdrops behind scenes. The biggest job of a scenic artist, according to Langenecker, is “making things look real,” and students in the course received lessons in perspective, shadow, and texture; in color and paint mixing; and in using tools specific to scenic painting. Students in the course also learned techniques like painting wood grain and marble onto canvas—techniques that Langenecker says will shine through in everything she creates, especially in the scenery for “Almost, Maine,” the Upper School fall play. At Cobalt, many of her lessons focused on color and feeling. Much of her paint treatment for the production used colors that feel icy or cold. She also incorporated a lot of cool colors into the lighting effects so scenes felt like they were taking place outside. “All the paint effects for this play were things I learned at Cobalt. I learned how to create the crackled paint that you would see on old, weathered pieces of wood, but I can imitate that effect on a hanging canvas. The shadowing for the clapboard and all the little details are lessons I received at Cobalt this summer.” As USM’s stagecraft teacher for the past 12 years, Langenecker said the instructions and ideas she took away from her time at Cobalt will also seep into her classroom. From the way she organizes her workshop, to the projects she executes with her students, to the problem-solving techniques she employs, Langenecker is excited to infuse her training at Cobalt in her class lessons at USM. BEYOND THE STAGE

“In the Cobalt studio, all the equipment they have, how it’s organized, and what works for certain projects–those are the things you want to absorb and bring back. Being able to go to a place like that and become a sponge and bring back all that knowledge was great.”

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

2013-2014 Board of Trustees Board of Trustees Front from left Karen Huffman, Edie Turnbull, Michael Roth, Patricia Juranitch, Board of Trustees President Richard Seesel, Head of School Laura Fuller, Frederick Stratton III ’92, Marina Rosenberg, Andrew A. Petzold, and Deanna Doerr. Back from left Danae Davis, Sarah Zimmerman ’92, Stephen F. Geimer ’78, Erskine Tucker Jr. ’79, Adam J. Wiensch, R. David Fritz ’81, Charles A. Mellowes ’87, Jon Hopkins, Linda Mutschler, and Parents’ Association President Stacey Radke. Not pictured Sangeeta Khanna, Dr. William Pennington, and Dr. Anthony Ross.

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To learn how you can leave your legacy for USM, please contact Maria Stone, Director of Development, at 414.540.3331 or mstone@usmk12.org, or visit www.usmk12.org/plannedgiving. 22

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

Why We Give…

2013-2014 Annual Giving Cabinet Members of the Annual Giving Cabinet are ambassadors of the School’s Annual Giving Program. These volunteer leaders work together to solicit support for the School from alumni, faculty, parents, grandparents, staff, parents of alumni, and friends. We are so grateful for their tremendous efforts! Co-Chairs Michael Grebe ’85 Cindy Zautcke Grandparent Division Rose Landgraf Alumni Division Co-Chairs F.R. Dengel III ’83 Joe Peltz ’99 Parent of Alumni Division Burt and Carla Bartlett ’74 & ’78 Faculty and Staff Division Lower School Patti Ptak Middle School Adam Moreno Upper School Rebecca Schwartz Administrative Staff Julie Piwowarczyk Senior Gift Co-Chairs Mack Borges ’85 Kathy Hauske Jon Hopkins Daphne Seaman Lerner ’88 8th Grade Gift Committee Judy Holmes Karen Huffman Janice Pennington

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

Why We Serve

Cindy Zautcke and Michael Grebe ’85

“There are few—if any—things that are more important than the education of our children,” said Michael Grebe ’85, “and USM provides an uncommonly positive opportunity in that regard. Looking back on my own experience, I’m not alone in recognizing that the best teachers I had at any level of education were the teachers at USM. It’s comforting to know that the same will be true for my children.” This sentiment is echoed by fellow USM parent Cindy Zautcke and is one of the factors that motivated each of them to co-chair the 2013-2014 Annual Giving Program. “Annual Giving is another opportunity to tell USM’s story. I talk about how schools work all day long—not just in Milwaukee, but across the globe. And the learning that happens here is truly special. The USM experience has an impact on students that I don’t often see,” said Zautcke.

While young alumni may not necessarily be in a position in their lives to make a large contribution to the School, it is important to get involved in the Annual Giving Program We designate our annual gift to USM fine arts because our early on and encourage classmates to do the same. I believe family has always been involved in the arts. They provide giving back to USM is important and shows that as an lifelong learning and enjoyment regardless of age, and help alumnus, I value the education and experience I received form a well-rounded person. Brain research is clear about when I was a student. Every contribution, large and small, the link between participating in the arts and the benefits helps provide that same educational experience to current to learning, such as increased creativity, concentration, and future students. problem-solving, perseverance, delayed gratification, – Joe Peltz ’99 and motivation, to name a few. There is also evidence that involvement in the arts helps increase SAT scores Even as relatively new parents at USM, we already see the and other academic learning, provides relief from extraordinary opportunities brought to our children every everyday stressors, and gives aesthetic beauty found day by the faculty and staff throughout the School. The no place else. The arts are often lacking in schools for Annual Giving Program helps make the USM experience various reasons, and by designating our annual gifts possible for more students and families, which in turn for the fine arts at USM, we are supporting the growth enriches the entire School community. We are proud to of this important discipline. support that effort. – Donald and Wanda Routier, parents of David ’14 – John and Brigid Miller, parents of Nora ’26 and Jack ’28

For more on how your gift impacts USM, visit www.usmk12.org/annualgiving.

These experiences include outdoor education opportunities, like a hands-on butterfly lesson in senior kindergarten as well as interactive learning experiences, such as the annual Victorian Day for 7th-grade students. In addition to the rigorous academic curriculum in Upper School, students complement their classroom education by participating in extracurricular activities like Harvard Model Congress, joining athletic teams, and developing school spirit and camaraderie in their respective Houses. Simply put, USM could not operate at its current level of excellence without the revenue from the Annual Giving Program. One of the goals for this year is to increase the number of community members who support the School through the Annual Giving Program. Said Grebe, “I want donors to recognize that any gift they can give is not only deeply appreciated but also makes a positive and immediate difference, regardless of size.” All members of the USM community are invited to make a gift to the School through the Annual Giving Program. To learn more, please visit www.usmk12.org/annualgiving or contact Kayte Parkin, Annual Giving Manager, at 414.540.3334, or kparkin@usmk12.org. Cindy Zautcke is the parent of two current USM students (John ’16 and Liz ’17) and one USM alumnus (Billy ’11). She has volunteered her time and talents at School in a variety of ways, including as a Board Member in the Parents’ Association, President of the Wildcat Booster Club, lunch table volunteer, member of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, and phonathon volunteer. Michael Grebe ’85 is not only an alumnus of USM, but also has two sons currently attending the School (Tripp ’19 and Griffin ’24). He has been active in the USM community not only as an ambassador for the Annual Giving Program, but also as a member of the Alumni Association Board, including service as that Board’s President. Additionally, Grebe recently accepted a position as a member of the USM Board of Trustees.

I support the USM Annual Giving Program because USM has provided me with an excellent, top-notch education, and I want the School to be able to provide that same quality of education to the next generation, and ultimately, my own children. – John O. Graham ’02

The Impact of Your Annual Gift

students encouraged to reach their full potential

million enriched the USM Experience for a Lifetime

faculty empowered to deliver inspiring classes

school days enhanced with meaningful opportunities in academics, the arts, athletics, and service

2013-2014 Alumni Association Board Officers President Thomas W. Parker ’79 Immediate Past President Louis H. Schroeder III ’83 Secretary Danielle Wagner Strauss ’94

A LETTER FROM TOM PARKER ’79 Alumni Association Board President

Alumni Association Board Front from left John O. Graham Jr., Natasha R. Misra, Charles F. Wright Jr., Danielle Wagner Strauss, Daphne Seaman Lerner, James G. O’Reilly, Lafayette L. Crump, and Charles A. Gordon. Back from left Louis H. Schroeder III, John M. Borges, Steven G. Carlson, Jessica Roulette, Alumni Association Board President Thomas W. Parker, Lindsey Canonie Grady, F. R. Dengel III, David M. Tacke, and Avery L. Goodrich Jr. Not pictured Tope A. Awe, Joseph M. Peltz, Rachel Gimbel Wagner, Stacy Brett Wenner, and Michael J. Winters.

Members Tope A. Awe ’03 John M. Borges ’85 Steven G. Carlson ’97 Lafayette L. Crump ’91 F.R. Dengel III ’83

t gives me great pride to continue in my second year as President

A new School year is upon us, and we are back full-steam ahead, as

and USM leadership has focused its energy to make sure that we are all working toward the

Avery L. Goodrich Jr. ’76

of the USM Alumni Association Board. It has been such a pleasure

we have already had two successful regional gatherings in Boston

same goals, to assess and adjust USM’s direction in response to changing environments and

Charles A. Gordon ’98

meeting and talking with you this past year. Thank you for your support

and New York, where the opportunity to reach out and reconnect with

trends in education.

Lindsey Canonie Grady ’91

of USM and our alumni initiatives.

some of our East Coast alumni garnered a renewed interest and support in USM and its Strategic Plan.

The 2012-2013 School year was quite busy, yet at the same time

As you page through the Annual Advancement Report, please keep in mind how grateful USM is to you for your support. We hope that as we progress with the objectives of the Strategic Plan,

quite productive with successful regional gatherings in Chicago,

In September, members of the USM Community reached out and

Washington, D.C., and Florida. In addition, the Alumni Association

volunteered for the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on

your spirit of generosity and passion for USM will be reflected in future gifts and involvement.

John O. Graham Jr. ’02 Daphne Seaman Lerner ’88 Natasha R. Misra ’04 James G. O’Reilly ’78

Milwaukee’s lakefront to help support and advocate for the importance

USM is nearing a wonderful crossroad with Homecoming and Reunions “coming home

Joseph M. Peltz ’99

a day of planting trees at the Mequon Nature Preserve. Furthermore,

of breast cancer research. And with the success of this year’s

to campus” next year. Along with the celebration of “50 Years of USM”, we are celebrating the

Jessica Roulette ’88

thanks to the generosity of our alumni community, the School’s

transitional Homecoming, we anticipate that Homecoming and

anniversary of the merging of Milwaukee Country Day, Milwaukee Downer Seminary, and

$1.1 million 2012-2013 Annual Giving goal was surpassed. We are

Reunion Weekend on September 19 and 20, 2014 will be a wonderful

Milwaukee University School. We certainly are excited for these and other anniversary events,

extremely grateful for your continued support.

welcome back to campus for our alumni.

and look forward to sharing this year of reflection and celebration with you.

For the first time in many years, 100 percent of the Alumni Association

I encourage you to take the time to review USM’s Strategic Plan

Please stay connected with USM and each other through our free alumni app, EverTrue. See the

Michael J. Winters ’85

Board participated in support of the 2012-2013 Annual Giving Program,

(included in this issue), as its purpose is to align the School’s mission

information on page 35, including a QR code for downloading the app today.

Charles F. Wright Jr. ’04

placing us with the Board of Trustees and the Parents’ Association

and the vision with well-defined objectives and goals to ensure the

Board in attaining these remarkable outcomes.

future success of USM. Over the past year, the USM Board of Trustees

continued its emphasis on community service in the local region with

David M. Tacke ’72 Rachel Gimbel Wagner ’02 Stacy Brett Wenner ’98

If you should have any questions, please feel free to email me at tomusm79@gmail.com.

In future publications, the Alumni Association Board will be listed in the June issue of USM Today.

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

USM visits Boston and New York City In September, Head of School Laura Fuller and retired faculty member Steve Bruemmer joined USM community members along the East Coast for gatherings in Boston and New York City.

Reunion Weekend June 21-23, 2013 During the weekend, alumni enjoyed an evening reception at the Milwaukee Country Club, a picnic lunch with campus tours, and a special Classics Tower Breakfast featuring a presentation from Middle School History Teacher Chuck Taft.

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

A LASTING LEGACY This year, 162 of current students have a family legacy of attending University School of Milwaukee, with one or more of their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents having attended USM or one of its predecessor Schools. Below is a list of these students, many of whom are pictured above. For a complete listing of our legacy families, visit www.usmk12.org/legacy.

Kendra Crump ’15

Lindsey Gardner ’26

Stewart Lerner ’18

Casy Prewitt ’20

Mia Cudahy ’18

Owen Gardner ’22

Samantha Levin ’25

Merrill Read ’15

Grace Culver ’15

Ella Godfrey ’18

Charlie Mahoney ’17

Alana Rostad ’17

Holland Culver ’18

Mercy Godfrey ’20

Tommy Mahoney ’17

Jack Roulette ’22

Wynn Culver ’14

Lucy Grady ’26

Luke Mamalakis ’23

Ben Sampson ’14

Audrey Cunningham ’21

Liam Grady ’21

Tatiana Mamalakis ’24

Nate Sampson ’17

Alicia Dahlman ’14

Griffin Grebe ’24

Nick Mayerson ’18

Jimmy Schmidt ’23

Lucy Daniels ’22

Tripp Grebe ’19

Anne McCabe ’19

Kat Schmidt ’16

Martha Daniels ’18

Danny Gridley ’19

Chloe McCabe ’21

Jack Schroeder ’21

Addie Darrow ’26

Gracie Gridley ’20

Ella McCabe ’22

Kelly Anne Schroeder ’19

Charlie Darrow ’24

Philip Grimes ’20

Sullivan Mellowes ’25

Ian Segel ’14

Joey Darrow ’24

Peter Grimes ’25

Jo Mellowes ’28

Meredith Short ’15

Conner Dawson ’24

Bastian Guten-Gale ’23

Madeline Mellowes ’27

Charlotte Siegel ’17

Abigail Dengel ’27

Matthew Hammerlund ’26

Murphy Mellowes ’20

Isaac Siegel ’14

F.R. Dengel ’28

Quinn Hammerlund ’28

Scanlon Mellowes ’22

Ada Slaughter ’26

Francesca Drope ’24

Harriette Hauske ’14

Henry Miller ’16

Brandon Staudt ’18

Mandela Drope ’27

P.J. Heiny ’27

Billy Miller ’16

Meg Stewart ’19

Carolyn Ells ’18

Liam Isaacson ’25

Brandon Montijo ’19

Beckett Stratton ’25

Peter Ells ’21

Mia Johnson ’20

Miranda Montijo ’21

Jocie Stratton ’27

Kristian Epperson ’24

Robin Johnson ’16

Annie Norman ’25

Justin Strauss ’17

Natalie Epperson ’22

Justice Kelly ’16

Ellie Norman ’19

Riley Strauss ’18

Nickolaus Epperson ’17

Kaitlyn Kennedy ’17

Mimi Norman ’21

Lizzy Thurow ’25

Lexie Epperson ’19

Ryan Kennedy ’19

Aston Omer ’27

Michael Tucker ’15

George Erlandson ’21

Will Kennedy ’18

Amelia Otjen ’25

Ashley Vogel ’19

Audrey Ferrer ’21

Summer Klingbail ’28

Thea Otjen ’27

Michael Vogel ’21

Margot Ferrer ’23

Klara Kobylinski ’14

Daryl Perry ’16

Ella Wagner ’28

Brynn Fitzsimmons ’24

William Koch ’17

Will Perry ’15

Grace White ’28

Savvy Adelman ’28

Matthew Bach ’16

Penelope Bonnell ’28

Elizabeth Burlew ’28

Reiley Fitzsimmons ’26

Cameron Krishnaney ’24

Grace Piper ’26

Abby Wigdale ’14

Zofia Adelman ’26

Elaina Bakke ’28

Charlie Borges ’15

William Burlew ’28

Grace Florsheim ’15

Jack Landgraf ’27

Hope Piper ’26

Olivia Williamson ’14

Sarah Aik ’15

Becca Banghart ’16

Jack Borges ’14

Emily Chou ’17

Sam Florsheim ’16

Alusha Leibsohn ’26

Liza Plummer ’15

Megan Winters ’19

Zion Aiken ’23

Theresa Banghart ’14

Camryn Brennan ’18

Kristen Chou ’19

Michaela Fritz ’19

Sydney Leibsohn ’24

Sam Plummer ’19

Joe Zimmerman ’22

Karlie Allen ’16

Zakary Billing ’18

Jake Brennan ’16

Chad Christiansen ’16

Shelby Fritz ’22

Addie Lerner ’14

Ainsley Polston ’28

Nate Zimmerman ’25

Gordon Allen ’19

Kate Bonnell ’25

Duncan Brown ’14

Gabriel Ciralsky ’25

Sydney Fritz ’17

Louise Lerner ’21

Edie Polston ’25

William Allen ’19

Lilly Bonnell ’25

Hayden Brown ’15

Talia Ciralsky ’23

Charley Gardner ’28

Marshall Lerner ’16

Michael Polston ’23

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

Alumna helps girls Reclaim Childhood Katherine Krieg Fischer ’04 brings hope, leadership to refugees in Jordan

HOW MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE CAN I REALLY MAKE?

Katherine Krieg Fischer ’04 found herself pursuing that very question as she neared the end of her senior year at Williams College in 2008. Fischer, a former multi-sport athlete at USM and letter-winner in field hockey at Williams, had a job lined up in the fall following graduation, but wanted to do something impactful with her summer.

In the five years since its inception, Reclaim Childhood has provided sports leagues, clinics, and summer camps to more than 1,500 Arab girls ages 8-18. Programs include a fall soccer league, a spring basketball league, and an intensive, two-week coaching clinic that prepares girls for league coaching positions.

Enrolled in a course on the Middle East during the turmoil of the Iraq War, she asked her professor if there was anything she could do to help the refugees in the war-torn region. Her professor suggested that with her background in athletics and his contact at King’s Academy, a co-educational boarding school in Amman, Jordan, she should apply for a school grant and run sports camps for the Academy. Fischer and Anouk Dey, a fellow Williams athlete, applied for and received the $10,000 grant to run the camps, forming what would become Reclaim Childhood, a non-profit organization based in Amman that seeks to empower at-risk Arab girls and women through sport and play.

The games fill a critical void for the girls, who are afforded few social outlets in which to engage. Due to cultural or sociopolitical hardship, many girls enter the camps with no prior experience playing sports. As girls learn how to lead and build their own confidence through the games, Fischer sees them maturing into more ambitious young women both on and off the field.

“Some of these girls have ’grown up’ with us now,” said Fischer. “We are seeing girls who had no interest in school before coming up to us and asking us for help with their college applications. It’s about so much more than playing the games.” Fischer, who currently works at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation in San Francisco, in addition to her part-time role with Reclaim Childhood, hopes that her story might inspire others to pursue areas of passion in service.

$200

35%

the cost to sponsor a pair of sisters through the fall sports leagues

300

girls participated in Reclaim Childhood programs during the summer of 2013

of girls in the program are Syrian refugees, with that percentage growing since the start of the Syrian War

1 ,500+

girls ages 8-18 have participated in Reclaim Childhood programs since its inception in 2008

“My advice would be, don’t underestimate the difference you are capable of making. At first, I questioned my impact and wondered what difference I could really make. But it soon became very clear how much of an impact one person can have,” said Fischer. “I would encourage anyone to pursue their passion. If you feel strongly about something and want to give back, then go for it.” For more information on Fischer and her involvement with Reclaim Childhood, visit www.reclaimchildhood.org.

For those interested in applying for a Reclaim Childhood internship in the summer of 2014, online applications will be available beginning in January. Visit reclaimchildhood.org or email www.admin@reclaimchildhood.org for more information.

USM Senior Spends Summer in Amman After traveling to Amman, Jordan with family in the summer of 2012, Brooke Hopkins ’14 jumped at the opportunity to return as an intern for Reclaim Childhood in June and July of 2013. Hopkins learned of the opportunity through a mutual family friend and was accepted as one of eight interns for Reclaim Childhood over the summer. She served as a coach for several summer girls’ sports teams and camps on a rotating basis and left with a powerful sense of compassion and an admiration for the girls she encountered. Brooke Hopkins ’14 “I learned so much, not only about the culture, but also about myself,” said Hopkins. “It really opened my mind to new perspectives. It was a life-changing, inspiring experience.” Hopkins currently does work with the Milwaukee non-profit group Our Next Generation as part of their outbound learning program, where she serves as a mentor and tutor for younger students on a one-on-one level.

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

class notes THE FOLLOWING PAGES INCLUDE NEWS AND NOTES SUBMITTED PRIOR TO AUGUST 27, 2013.

40s

JOHN RAMAKER

MCD’46

ART TOEPFER

MCD’48

MUS’47

MDS’48

received a fantastic 80th birthday gift from her children. They hired author Jon Helminiak to write up Jordan’s story. In 1940, Jordan was sent from England to Fox Point by her mother, who wanted to ensure her daughter’s safety. The book is titled “This Token of Freedom.”

wrote that on June 22, 2013, the MCD Class of ’48 celebrated in Mesa, Ariz., with their wives. It was not only their third annual reunion, but also the BIG ONE, their 65th Class of ’48 reunion. Of note, there are more Class of ’48 MCD alumni living in the Phoenix area than anywhere else, including Milwaukee. It must have something to do with the humidity. From left Bruce Hanson MCD’48, Marylin and Luther Paine MCD’48, Joy and Art Toepfer MCD’48, and Bobbi and Frank Wyse MCD’48.

50s

NANCY HAYS CHAPEL

MDS’56

owns the Cardwell Hill Cellars Winery, located in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The winery will be entering the Wisconsin market for the first time this fall.

To submit a class note: Email your news to alumni@usmk12.org Or mail to: University School of Milwaukee, Alumni Relations 2100 W. Fairy Chasm Road, Milwaukee, WI 53217

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

JONATHAN MCBRIDE

’88

70s

TRACY TEWELES

’75

remarried last summer to Chris de Brauw and moved to Evanston, Ill. Her daughter Zettie will be a senior at Oberlin College. Her son Milo will be a sophomore at Macalester College.

80s

JIM BALESTRIERI

’80

ADAM LEVIN

’99

ANGELA PITTMAN TAYLOR

now serves as Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Personnel. Previously, McBride was a Deputy Assistant to the President. He received his B.A. in Economics and U.S. History from Connecticut College and MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a former Trustee of Connecticut College and the National Urban League.

’96

received a Black Excellence Award from The Milwaukee Times newspaper. Pittman Taylor, who is a Senior Public Relations Specialist with Robert W. Baird’s Marketing and Communications department, was recognized in the “Corporate Trailblazer” category. Lafayette Crump ’91 also received a Black Excellence Award. The awards were started almost three decades ago as a way to honor individuals making a difference in their communities.

married Jessica Larrieu on May 26, 2013 in a ceremony at the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis. Other USM alumni in attendance included Robert Melick ’99 (best man), Jason Levin ’01 (groomsman), Eric Dawson ’99, Lisa Melick ’03, and Will Collier ’03.

90s

ALISON ABROHAMS MANGER

’93

wrote a book “The Ballad of Ethan Burns,” which was published in April and is available on Amazon.

Get Connected with the USM Alumni App! Join the more than 280 fellow alumni

JIM JOHN

who have already downloaded EverTrue,

’82

lives with his wife Emily, who is a musician, in Forest Hills, N.Y. John is an Associate Professor in charge of choral music at Queens College. He is an editor of the National Choral Review. John is also the artistic director of Cerddorion Vocal Ensemble, a highly regarded amateur chamber choir. In 2012, he was the guest conductor in Tokyo of Brahmins and in 2013 he will return to conduct Beethoven’s Miss a Solemnis.

SERENA POLLACK

’93

was named a 2013 Forward Under 40 recipient by the Wisconsin Alumni Association. The award honors a young generation of outstanding graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“We had a wonderful visit with Sara and Jay in May as we presented in Gloucester on our medical work in Haiti — Jay’s woodworking makes their house a museum experience unto itself! Be blessed with a visit if you can.”

WILLIAM GUERIN

JAYNE JAFFE JORDAN

RICHARD A. “NICK” CANDEE

’66

moved to a wonderful senior independent apartment. He reports that “the convenience and perks are great.” He lunched with Charlie Gutenkunst MCD’46 and traveled to Arizona in April to see T.J. Hedding MCD’46 and his new great-grandchild.

recently traveled to Idaho to witness one of his grandchildren graduate from college.

60s

the free USM alumni app, available for iPhone and Android. and husband Dylan Edmund Manger recently had a daughter, Georgia Hall Manger, born in Los Angeles. She was 8-pounds, 1 ounce, and 21 inches.

iPhone

Android

In Memoriam

00s

ELIZABETH NELSON SACERDOTI

’01

USM wishes to acknowledge and celebrate the lives of our dearly departed alumni and friends. We thank them for enriching our lives

IAN GREAVES

’04

’09

received his Master’s in History from Tufts University in 2011 as well as a B.A. from Tufts in 2009. He is employed as a contributing editor of History textbooks for Academic Press, and lives in Salt Lake City.

received a B.S. in Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University in 2013. He is a student in the master’s program in Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon.

CHLOE LANGE HULSEBOS

’04 and Raffaello welcomed a daughter, Annabelle Marie Sacerdoti on March 28, 2013 in Denver. Annabelle’s family includes uncle Brad Nelson ’03, and grandparents Tom and Victoria Kimes Nelson ’69.

JONATHAN LUND

’03

is pleased to announce the arrival of her son Ian Bear Hulsebos, 10 pounds, with husband Hans. Ian was born in Loma Linda, Calif. on March 5, 2013.

SPENCER GREAVES

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

’09

earned his degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in May 2013. He is employed as a Process Engineer with Megtec Systems located in DePere, Wis.

SCOTT WALKER

’09

received a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University in 2012, a Master’s in Public Health from Dartmouth College in 2013, and started medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin this fall.

’07

IAN TONNER

’07

MAXINE HUPY

pictured above with his wife Anna, was promoted in June to Fire Marshal for the Des Moines (Iowa) Fire Department. In August, Jon graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. Jon has worked for the Des Moines Fire Department since 2008. Jon and Anna also own a fire protection engineering consulting firm, Lund Fire Protection, Inc. based in Norwalk, Iowa.

MALCOLM GREAVES

is pictured above with Steven Tyler, lead singer of Aerosmith. Both performed at the inaugural Social Star Awards at a multi-genre International A-List celebration described as “the Oscars” of social media. Maxine performed with Cee Lo Green at the awards on May 23 and again on May 24 at the Singapore Social Concerts.

through their friendship.

1930s

1940s

Joan M. Pick

Elinor Mead Martin

Macauley W. Taylor

Robert C. Mahnke

MDS’35 April 6, 2013 West Bend, Wis.

MDS’41 May 4, 2013 Tucson, Ariz.

MCD’46 July 17, 2013 Albuquerque, N.M.

MCD’61 March 17, 2013 Milwaukee.

J. Grigsby Markham

Edmund B. Fitzgerald

Russell D. Wirth

Susan Evans Brunsvold

MCD’36 March 29, 2013 Grafton, Wis.

MCD’43 August 28, 2013 Nashville, Tenn.

MCD’48 August 9, 2013 Fort Myers, Fla.

MDS’61 April 11, 2013 Topeka, Kan.

Doris Roethke Redmond

John H. Dickens

Henry M. Blume

William R. Debelak

MUS’36 January 13, 2013 Brookfield, Wis.

MCD’44 December 25, 2012 Mequon, Wis.

MCD’49 May 2, 2013 Palo Alto, Calif.

MUS’61 June 18, 2013 Tucson, Ariz.

Sarah Davis Pearson

Jean Karsseboom Greenwill

Robert A. Pollock

Robert A. Miller

MUS’49 September 5, 2013 Steilacoom, Wash.

MUS’64 March 27, 2012 Viola, Wis.

MDS’39 April 17, 2013 Pomona, Calif.

MDS’46 May 22, 2013 Brookfield, Wis.

1960s

David B. Lovejoy Mary Henoch Kuelthau

’67 May 27, 2013 Marblehead, Mass.

MDS’50 June 16, 2013 Santa Fe, N.M.

1970s

Marcia Van Allen

Thomas A. Schmidman

MDS’53 May 11, 2013 Boynton Beach, Fla.

’74 April 25, 2013 Mequon, Wis.

1950s Mary Lee Cottrell Jacobs MDS’45

married Victoria Palumbo on May 26, 2013 at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, M.D. Walker was joined by many USM friends including back from left Nick Hermberg ’11, Alex Skeeba ’09, right of groom Hozzie Tanner ’09, Alex Tanner ’12, Jake Tanner ’10 front from left Brianna Beck ’09, Lauren Fredrick ’09, Carol Walker ’11, Cassie Beck ’11. Walker also graduated from the Naval Academy and is now an Ensign. He and his new wife moved to San Diego where he is the Second Lieutenant on the USS Dewey. At commissioning from the Naval Academy, it is tradition to have a planned “first salute” as an officer. The tradition is to have someone who is below your rank salute you for the first time. Walker’s first salute was with Hermberg who just finished his plebe (first) year at Navy.

passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 22, 2013. Jacobs touched many people with her loving, gracious, and independent personality. She was an avid golfer and twelve-time club champion between Chenequa and Milwaukee Country Clubs, and was also an accomplished gardener and past member of the Green Tree Garden Club. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed projects of all kinds. She volunteered much of her time with the Red Cross and with USM. Jacobs was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Kenneth “Kenny” Wilder Jacobs, Jr. MCD’41 (pictured above), who passed away in 2007. She is survived by her children, USM Associate Director of Admissions Kathryn (John) Jacobs Housiaux ’68, USM seventh grade science teacher Kenneth “Kip” (Jill) Jacobs III ’74, Robert Jacobs ’78, and William Jacobs ’81 (John Joiner); grandchildren Andy (Julia Alexander, fiancée) Housiaux ’97, Julie (Jeremy) Housiaux Caldwell ’99, Charlie (Erin) Housiaux ’02, Rob (Terry) Jacobs ’02, Brad (Sarah) Jacobs ’04, and Kyle Jacobs ’08; and great-grandchild CJ Housiaux. She is further survived by many loving nieces and nephews, extended family, and wonderful friends.

Suzanne Darling MacClurg MDS’55 July 30, 2013 Marcellus, N.Y.

Henry M. Goldberg MCD’54 March 23, 2013 Elm Grove, Wis.

FRIENDS Fay Topetzes Mother of Andrea Topetzes Mann ’72, John Topetzes ’74, and Angela Topetzes Strelka ’78 December 18, 2012 Mequon, Wis.

Allan J. Klotsche MUS’57 March 28, 2013 Saint Germain, Wis.

Updated as of September 10, 2013.

bringing project-based learning into the classroom BY CHERYL BAIR

Students identify trees using the LeafSnap app.

“Students learn the purpose and use of multiple apps in order to become better organizers, collaborators, communicators, and learners,” Willis said. “The curriculum yields the same content; however, now, as we engage students in more creative, expanded ways, they are able to take their learning a step further.”

Cheryl Bair teaching a lesson in her 4th-grade classroom.

As global and experiential learning become more vital to the education of our students, a teacher’s job develops into one of creating engaging lessons, facilitating learning, and cultivating problem solvers, rather than communicating knowledge through traditional instruction. Project-based learning (PBL) is a method of instruction that meets those criteria. According to the Buck Institute for Education, project-based learning is an “extended process of inquiry in response to a question, problem, or challenge.” Important academic content is learned through 21st-century skills such as collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Inquisitive students who have a voice in their learning craft high-quality authentic projects and presentations in response to the challenge. Creating a project requires an open mind, flexibility, and the ability to think beyond the traditional manner of direct instruction. Teachers follow a 10-step protocol, which requires significant editing and rewriting based upon feedback from presenters and colleagues. When this process is finished, it is time to present the project to the students. Teachers must be willing to allow for further changes as the students provide input and feedback, and make choices throughout the implementation of the project. During the USM PBL workshop, fellow 4th-grade teacher Gina Bongiorno and I created a project that coincides with our

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

Milwaukee unit. The 4th-grade social studies curriculum is heavy on content and we want our students to be more involved in researching and presenting that content. We began the process of creating a project by determining essential questions, which are the driving force behind the project. While planning the project, we considered several key components: providing opportunities for student choice, delivering specific concepts to be covered, offering options for differentiation so that students can get the most out of the project, making interdisciplinary connections, tapping prior student knowledge, integrating technology, connecting with faculty and other classes at USM as well as community connections and mentors, fashioning opportunities for sharing throughout the process, creating a timeline with due dates and assessments, designing a rubric for final assessment, and providing an authentic opportunity for exhibition to a public audience. We are looking forward to introducing the project to our students during this School year. Our students will direct their learning within the structure of the project. Critical content will be studied; student work will be assessed throughout the activity, and the final product will be presented to Tyler Ritchie’s 11th-grade history students, critical friends and mentors, and other invited guests at the end of the process. To read more about USM’s Project-Based Learning Conference, see page 16.

Cheryl Bair is a 4th-Grade Teacher at University School of Milwaukee and serves as the Social Studies Department Chair.

Beginning in 3rd-grade, each USM student is provided with their own personal computing device.

Laying the Foundation The 1:1 Program in the 3rd-grade Take a look around one of USM’s 3rd-grade classrooms, and you might find a student on their iPad creating a Popplet, an app that helps organize information in logical and meaningful ways, or recording their reading voice via Garage Band, an audio recording program designed to help students reflect and grow their verbal skills. Following the implementation of USM’s 1:1 Program at the beginning of the 2012-2013 School year that provides students in grades 3-12 with their own personal computing device, faculty members across all three divisions have focused on ways to use technology to foster a collaborative, creative learning environment in each academic area. The foundation of the 1:1 Program can be found in these 3rd-grade classrooms, where teachers Bonnie Seidel, JoAnne Williamson, and Brita Willis strive to supplement and enhance their curriculum through the use of iPad apps.

Seidel identified the apps that enhance learning in each core academic area, utilizing Garage Band in English; Educreations, a program that allows students to create animated tutorials that explain logic and reasoning in math; and the improved accessibility to information via pages like Google Earth and Maps to locate key places of study in both science and social studies. “In a world that is driven by technology, it is our responsibility as educators to help our students take full advantage of the ways in which these tools can enhance their learning,” Seidel said. The Nearpod app is another effective, interactive way to connect with students, allowing teachers to push images, quizzes, and poll questions out to students as part of a lesson. Students can write, text, or draw answers back to the teacher, allowing for immediate feedback on concept comprehension. “One of my favorite parts of the 1:1 Program is the opportunity it gives students to demonstrate their learning. The immediate feedback that I get about who understands or struggles with a particular concept is immeasurable,” Willis said. While opportunities created by the 1:1 Program continue to enhance student learning, it is important to note that the Program is intended to supplement, not replace, classroom curriculum. “Technology does not take the place of good teaching,” Williamson said. “The technology is a tool to enhance the curriculum.”

University School of Milwaukee named

2013 Interscholastic Sports Program of Excellence We don’t chase wins, we build programs That has been the mantra of the University School of Milwaukee Athletic Department under the direction of Athletic Director Rick Johns, as the School has implemented a program built on a positive, educational-based athletic experience. In August, that philosophy was rewarded as USM was named one of two recipients of the 2013 Interscholastic Sports Program of Excellence award by Coach and Athletic Director magazine, honoring the nation’s best interscholastic athletic programs for their overall commitment to promoting a positive experience for student athletes. The honorees were selected based on their success in eight categories: participation rate, coaches certification, community service, athletic director national certification, scholar-athlete status, level of participation, sportsmanship, and parent participation. “All of us are in this to provide the best experience for our kids,” Johns said. “For the program to be recognized by an authoritative group for our work is a great feeling.”

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

USM adheres to the educational-based athletics model, meaning that its programs teach valuable lessons in leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, self-confidence, and the ability to handle competitive situations. The program embraces the NCAA Division III philosophy that stresses athletic programs should support, rather than compete, with academics. Instead, the focus is placed on building compelling, well-coached programs that provide equal athletic opportunities and resources for all USM students. “Our goal is to ensure that all of our students have access to the right equipment on a safe playing surface, on the proper fields, at the proper times so that they can get enough rest to perform academically as well,” Johns said. The program also adheres to a Teacher-Coach Model with the philosophy that coaching is teaching. To support that model, the program has instituted a series of benchmark requirements for all USM coaches that go above and beyond WIAA regulations. Before starting at USM, all coaches must complete a National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Fundamentals of Coaching course, a concussion safety course and, for those coaching outdoor sports, a water, and hydration course. Heading into their second season, coaches are required to complete a first aid/CPR certification. By year three, all USM head coaches are required to be accredited interscholastic coaches.

“We model our athletic program after our academics program and want to mirror them in terms of pursuing professional development,” Johns said. “We strive to go above and beyond WIAA mandates and our well-trained coaches will put our students in a safe and competitive position.” USM was selected over schools from 44 states for the prestigious honor that rewards programs for “promoting integrity, sportsmanship in athletics, and a positive experience for student-athletes.” “We’re overwhelmed by the quality of our nominees and the effort they put into building a distinguished athletic program,” said Coach and Athletic Director magazine Managing Editor Kevin Hoffman. A judge for the award stated, “USM did well in each judging category, but I was really struck by their 83 percent student participation rate. This is a great reflection of a successful program.” The judge also referenced the Program’s approach to coaching education and certification as “outstanding, and a model for other programs.”

“We model our athletic program after our academics program and want to mirror it in terms of pursuing professional development.”

From left Athletic Director Rick Johns, Assistant Athletic Director Mike Snyder, Athletics Office Manager Kate Taylor ‘02, Ice Arena Manager Jason Woods, and Equipment and Events Manager Ben Suran.

The USM Athletics Program will be featured as a 2013 Interscholastic Program of Excellence Honoree in the November/December issue of Coach and Athletic Director magazine. For more information on individual USM sports, visit www.usmathletics.org.

I’ve been directly involved with the PA for more than 13 years,

$250,000

directly to USM

and the level of parent involvement at USM always impresses me. I wish there was a way to quantify the true value of the more than 18,000 volunteer hours that occur on an ongoing, annual basis, because I have no doubt that it would be a significant

Parents’ Association Board 2013-2014

One of my goals as President this year is to continue to find ways to keep the PA relevant for all parents, including those who work outside of the home.

President Stacey Radke

dollar amount. In addition to the valuable hours of service, the

President-Elect Niven Kingwill

PA is fortunate to have masterful event planners and talented

Getting to Know Stacey Radke

fundraisers involved. Through their tireless efforts, the PA is able

Parents’ Association Board President

and purchasing digital signage last year.

Secretary Jenny Mahoney

But the PA is about so much more than just those things. It’s

Preprimary Coordinator Melissa Sheppard

form of specific projects, such as enhancing school security

an opportunity for parents to get to know each other better and

It always seems to feel like a transitional time of year, one that

engage with one another and with USM–whether it’s sharing

is filled with preparation, planning, and promise. In my new role

concerns about our children (who all seem to grow up far too

as President of the University School of Milwaukee Parents’

quickly!), offering support, or just relaxing and enjoying each

Association (PA) Board, that feels especially true this year. I am

other’s company. These activities contribute to an enhanced

One of my goals as President this year is to continue to find ways to keep the PA relevant for all

excited to have this opportunity, and the fact that I am surrounded

sense of community and go a long way towards making USM a

parents, including those who work outside of the home. It’s not just about the moms getting involved

by so many talented individuals in PA leadership roles leaves

place that families feel connected to, alumni want to give back

either–this year we have several “dad” room parents, and we’d like to continue to find ways to get

18,000

to, and friends of the School want to support.

volunteer hours USM TODAY | FALL 2013

Parents’ Association Board Front from left Wendy Petzold, Danielle Wagner Strauss, Parents’ Association Board President Stacey Radke, Margy Stratton Norman, and Nancy Smith. Back from left Sara LeBrun-Blashka, Jennifer Reese, Melissa Freeman, Rebecca Romano, Melissa Sheppard, Patricia Kauffman, Niven Kingwill, Jenny Mahoney, and Gigi Short.

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, especially as a parent.

me feeling well-prepared.

Treasurer Nancy Smith

to contribute nearly $250,000 directly to USM each year in the

fathers to volunteer their time and talents. Everyone has something to offer, and the great thing about supporting USM is that there are lots of ways to get involved, whether you have a little or a lot of your

Lower School Coordinator Melissa Freeman Middle School Coordinator Danielle Wagner Strauss ’94 Upper School Coordinator Gigi Short ’79 Nominations Coordinator Rebecca Romano

time to share.

Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Reese

I am proud of all the ways that I have been able to find to give back to USM through the PA. We all

Communications Coordinator Margy Stratton Norman ’84

want the best for our children, and being involved is an important way to ensure that USM always remains the best School for our students.

Special Events Coordinator Sara LeBrun-Blashka Past-President Wendy Petzold

a look back

a look ahead

THE EVOLUTION OF USM’S WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

UPCOMING EVENTS THROUGH FEBRUARY 01, 2014

Upper School Spanish Teacher Holly Morse shares a laugh with a group of Upper School students.

One classroom on wheels. One teacher. One language. That was the scope of USM’s Lower School World Languages Program in 1984. Today, two state-of-the-art classrooms with Smartboards, wireless projection, and two highly trained Foreign Language in Elementary School (FLES) teachers provide the foundation for a world-class PK-12 language sequence in both French and Spanish. In addition, USM offers four years of Mandarin Chinese in a classroom that contains the most modern technology for effectively teaching this level -five language. A four-year Latin program adds depth to our offerings. Opportunities for travel and exchanges are abound at USM with a Spanish Exchange every other year, a French Exchange on the horizon, and a service-learning trip to China each summer. Two years ago, as part of our Super Review–an in-depth study of our Curriculum Analysis and Review Process (CARP)– we requested an audit to ensure our World Languages Program reflected the best practices according to the language teaching profession. Specifically, we wanted to know:

How do we best enhance student learning of languages for our 21st-century classrooms? How does our curriculum best nurture student learning at each grade level?

Helena Curtain, author of the book “Languages and Children: Making the Match,” world-renowned language program auditor, and Milwaukee native, thoroughly examined our department in all grades. She urged us to review two major documents that synthesized current thinking about best practice in language education in the United States: the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines and the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st-Century. In doing so, we moved from a traditional grammar focus to a communication focus. While grammar is taught as a tool for communication, students spend class time using language for real-world purposes. We focus on proficiency targets for our language learners and design our programs to achieve the desired results. Our classrooms are more student-centered than teacher-centered. We differentiate instruction based on learner need, encourage risk-taking, and as stated in our department philosophy, “believe in nurturing students’ understanding and appreciation of other cultures, allowing them to see themselves and their own culture from different perspectives.” We reflect on the practice of teaching and seek opportunities for professional development. State-of-the-art technology provides easy access to authentic listening materials.

nov 1-2

dec 6-7

Holiday Shops

Middle School Players present “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”

20 US Band, Orchestra, and Choir Concert

27 Grandparents and Special Friends Day Young Alumni Brunch

10 Middle School Band Concert

11 Grades 1-12 Holiday Concert

17 Middle School Orchestra Concert

jan

Grades 5-6 Choral Concert

22 Grades 7-8 Choral Concert World Drumming Concert Lower School Book Fair

23 Lower School Orchestra Concert Upper School Cum Laude Breakfast and Assembly

19 Preprimary Holiday Sing

Eight classrooms. Thirteen teachers. Four languages. That’s the state of our PK-12 World Languages Department today with a vision towards establishing USM as a global center in our community.

Holly Morse has taught at USM since 1984 and currently serves as an Upper School (US) Spanish Teacher and US World Languages Department Chair.

save the date! Homecoming & Reunion Weekend

USM TODAY | FALL 2013

Unite on September 19 and 20, 2014

2100 West Fairy Chasm Road Milwaukee, WI 53217 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Senior kindergarten assistant teacher Jacqueline Ciatti and Lower School students enjoy an outdoor picnic in the main circle during the 1986-1987 School year.