The advisory program at the Middle School has been busy with a variety of activities since our last update in October.
As we are reaching the year’s midpoint, advisories are exploring Developmental Designs principles with even more confidence during our start to the day as well as sessions during community period. Teachers continue to try new greetings, shares, and games, and students are growing more ready to lead these activities. Advisory bonds are giving each member that “home base” of support.
We’ve also had time for some important conversations. Another “Can We Talk?” session in December gave our Middle Schoolers the chance to explore a topic of their choice from a wide variety of possibilities. Also, over the past few months Mrs. Karen Washington, Director for Community and Inclusion, has been doing some important work about building community with all grade levels during community block. She will be meeting with each grade for a second session during January. During this time together, she is engaging students in activities that get them thinking about identity, how we treat one another, and how we can be empowered to value each person in our community. Relatedly, this week our morning advisory work has been focusing on identity in the context of MLK Day and our Martin Luther King, Jr. chapel on Wednesday.
In addition, students are also on their Student-Led Conference (SLC) journey. During community time with their advisor, students have been writing a skill-based goal for each of their classes as well as personal goals related to the mission skills. Reflection leads to action as they work towards these goals with a growth mindset. We look forward to great culminating discussions at conferences coming up on February 6 and 7. Look for the Sign-up Genius invitation sent by your advisor last week to sign up for your SLC.
We always have plenty going at the Middle School, and it is important to note that we’ll be taking time for some mindfulness activities soon, too. Advisory time is an ongoing way to prioritize what is essential to making each student’s daily experience the best it can be.