The first expectation of any institution and community is consideration for one’s fellow beings. All other mores and rules must follow from that. Advisory thus becomes the first building block that will support and enable the rest of our work.
Advisory is not a period, it is a relationship!
Our advisory program is intended to be the structure through which we ensure each student has one adult (at least!) at school that is an expert on them and who they can confide in. Below is a list of the different facets of the advisor role:
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A watching eye: Advisors keep a watching eye on their advisees and learn to know when to reach out to an advisee in need. It is important that advisors be proactive in approaching their advisees when something seems wrong or out of character as most teenagers do not reach out for help when they need it most. Similarly, it is important that advisors notice and celebrate advisees’ successes.
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Shed light: Be an advocate. Advisors can shed light on situations concerning their advisees and help faculty understand the full picture that each of their advisees is facing. It is crucial that advisors be advocates for their advisees during faculty meetings and any other activity involving their advisees. Advisors understand their advisees’ lives better than anyone else in the school and can lead us on how to best educate and support them.
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A liaison with parents: Advisors are the main point of contact for parents with the school. They are the vehicle through which parents are informed of their daughter’s progress and objectives and the first person a parent calls if they have a question or concern. This link with parents creates the space for school and parents to become a team in raising each child – it takes a village!
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A record keeper: Advisors keep a record of all important information that is collected during the year for each of their advisees. Grades, communication with parents, and notes from conversations with or about an advisee will help the advisor write his/her fourth quarter advisee letter and will be an important source of information for the advisor that inherits that advisee next year!