Student Advisory Program: Fostering

Relationships, Building success.

Bulkeley High School

Let’s Mix It UpEach salad must include the

following vegetables:

• Lettuce• Carrot• Broccoli• Tomato• Onion

• Cucumber• Radish• Mushroom• Celery• Avocado

First group to have all the ingredients should say “Salad’s Ready” and sit with their team.

Key elements needed as we incorporate an Advisory Program at BHS:

• Team Work• Creativity

• Communication• Determination

• Leadership• Exceeding your comfort level

• Open-mindedness• Everyone matters

Every INGREDIENT counts when building something meaningful.

BHS Faculty Survey Results

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree

1. I feel advisory period is an effective way to connect to students. 50% 47% 3% 0%

2. I am comfortable building relationships with students. 69% 31% 0% 0%

3. I need support when building relationships with students. 13% 25% 41% 22%

4. I would like to have a peer mentor for advisory period so 16% 53% 22% 9% we can collaborate and offer each other support.

5. I would like to have professional development to assist me in 47% 44% 6% 3% implementing the advisory curriculum.

BHS Faculty Members answered the following survey questions:

Staff indicated they needed the following supports to be an effective advisor:

• Program Goals

• Materials/Resources

• A written plan/Curriculum

• A list of clear expectations for advisor

• Valuable topics that students are interested in

• Someone to refer to when questions arise

• A small number of students consistently

• Access to and training on Power School to track attendance/grades

• A peer mentor to collaborate with

• A framework to guide advising

• Food, music, technology, & website

• Students that I had in class before

The key elements that staff indicated where necessary for an effective advisory

• Student engagement

• Clear/realistic goals and expectations

• Strong leadership

• A strong advisor/advisee connection

• A focus on academic success, community involvement, and improving lagging social skills

• Students “buying” into it

• Empowering students with information that will help them succeed

• A well-structured period (not free time)

• A small group setting

• Attendance/grade tracking, and organizational planning

• Continuity of curriculum

• Commitment to building relationships

• Objectives with open ended means to accomplish them

• Good ratio of student to staff

• Academic counseling/Life coaching

• Making students feel comfortable

• Trust, open mindedness, and good listening

Bulkeley High School

Advisory Program

BHS Core ValuesThe Bulkeley High School community believes

that all students can become responsible, independent individuals possessing the

academic, social, and civic competencies for the 21st century.

We value high academic standards, individualized learning experiences and specialized programs of study that meet

the needs of a diverse student population.

BHS Learning Expectations

Social• Utilize time and manage work load efficiently

• Interact and collaborate with diverse populations

Civic• Obtain knowledge and skills to become an involved, responsible citizen

• Understand and apply civic and personal rights within a democratic society

Academic • Read, write, and speak effectively in a variety of forms and contexts

• Apply critical and emergent thinking skills in a global community• Effectively analyze and evaluate evidence, arguments and theories

Yamiliz.MOV

Adults show they care when…

•They push you•Don’t Let you slip

What is an Advisory Program?• Intended to build meaningful relationships• Informal, safe and relaxed environment• Each student will have an adult advocate• Advisors will facilitate participation• Advisors will celebrate individuality• Strengthens Relationships• Foster a sense of belonging• Assists students in tracking their academic

progress and creates shared accountability

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Adults show they care when…

•Relate to students•Understand•Positive Attitude•Smile

Research suggests that Advisory Programs…

• Connect students and staff • Decrease dropout rates • Raise four-year graduation

rates• Improve the trajectory for

students to continue academic pursuits and post-secondary training after high school

• Keep students coming to school

• Can reduce student substance abuse

• Increase healthy decision-making

• Provide opportunities for successful student development

The Goal of AdvisoryThe purpose of the advisory program is to

foster intellectual growth and habits of commitment by:

• Promoting interpersonal relationships between staff and students

• Providing social interactions with peers in a safe environment

• Mediating between academic and social concerns

• Facilitating communication (student-teacher-parent)

• Addressing students’ self-esteem

• Personalizing each student’s experience at BHS

Advisory will Enhance Relationships at BHS by:

• Allocating specific time for individual needs

• Facilitating the transition from middle to high school

• Continuing the development from 9th to 10th Grade

• Providing a means for community building

• Coordinating services, activities, and opportunities

• Granting students a place to feel grounded

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Adults show they care when…

•Show respect•Reach out

Advisor’s Roles and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with school personnel to address specific student needs

• Facilitate delivery of curriculum

• Advocate for advisees

• Serve as a positive role model

• Communicate with parents

• Monitor academic progress and student needs

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Adults show they care when…

•Ask questions•Pay attention to you

If students disclose information during advisory period...

• Remember you are a Mandated Reporter

• Abuse (child, domestic, sexual) • Intent to harm self or others• Suicidal Ideation• Cheating• Criminal Activity• Bullying/Cyberbullying

NOT CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL

• Family Illness or problems• Pregnancy

• Substance Abuse• Psychiatric Treatment• Sexual Activity• Deaths

Advisory at Bulkeley

• Introduction to Advisory Program for students

o 9th/10th grade assembly to discuss program implementation

What Advisory at Bulkeley will look like:

• Small group of students with 1 staff member

•Staff will include teachers, administrators & support staff

•Grade specific curriculum(9th/10th Grade)

•To provide continuity, the 9th graders will continue on to 10th grade with the same advisor/group

• Meet 1 time per week• 30 minute period

• All year long

What Advisory at Bulkeley will look like:

• Theme-based curriculum with suggested lesson plans

o Every advisor will be given a binder with a written curriculum, student list, schedules, and other helpful resources

o Modifications/Adaptations to lessons may be incorporated as needed

What Advisory at Bulkeley will look like:

Theme-Based CurriculumFreshman Themes

• Getting to know you/getting organized*

• Team Building*

• Character Building*

• Appreciation/Gratitude

• Self-Awareness

• Goal Setting*

• Academic Readiness

• Stress/Self-Esteem*

• College Preparation*

* Denotes 9th and 10th grade

Sophomore Themes(Based on “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens”)

• Get in the habit

• Paradigms and Principles

• The Personal Bank Account

• Habit 1: Be proactive

• Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind

• Habit 3: Put first things first

• The Relationship Bank Account

• Habit 4: Think win-win

• Habit 5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood

• Habit 6: Synergize

• Habit 7: Sharpen the saw

• Keep hope alive!

                           

Delivery of Curriculum• Round table discussion format

• Encourage full participation

• Conversation vs. Lecturing

• Positive Feedback

• Respect Individuality

Collaboration among advisors is encouraged

Someone whose name begins with a J…

______________

Someone who has traveled

outside of Connecticut…

______________

Someone who has flown on an

airplane…______________

Someone who speaks 2

languages…______________

Someone who plays a sport…

______________

Someone who lives in the

North End…______________

Someone who walks to school…

______________

Someone that has 2 brothers…______________

Someone who plays an

instrument…______________

Someone whose favorite color is

red…______________

Someone who was born in the

winter…______________

Someone who wears glasses…______________

Someone who is good at math…

______________

Someone who lives in the

South End…______________

Someone who likes to read…

______________

Someone who was named after

someone…______________

Someone who rides the bus to

school…______________

Someone who likes to draw…______________

Someone who has swimming

class this semester…

______________

Someone who has a sister…

______________

Someone who has a sibling at

Bulkeley…______________

Someone who likes to dance…______________

Someone who was not born in

Hartford…______________

Someone who was born in the

summer…______________

Sample Lesson – Peer Bingo

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Adults show they care when…

•Express concern•Ask “ Are You Ok?”

                     

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see,

only as much as I dream can I be.” - Karen Ravn

Questions