FALCON ADVISORY PROGRAM

Goal: The advisory program is a structure that ensures that every individual student in a middle level school has one adult who knows that individual well and can be an understanding advocate. Advisory provides regular opportunities for interactions with a small group of peers and a caring adult.

Philosophy: Advisory is recognized next to teaming as the most frequently cited characteristic of a true middle school. Our knowledge of the critical period of the human life cycle makes it clear that young adolescents are deeply concerned about and very much occupied with their physical, intellectual, emotional, and social needs. Teacher led advisory allows students to feel a sense of connectedness to an adult.

To learn best, adolescents need to be connected; to feel a sense of personal relationship with their teacher, and to feel known and recognized as individuals. They need the security, support and understanding of adults as they work through the several developmental tasks faced during this stage.

School-wide goals:

Create a tolerant and caring community of learners

Embrace students’ questions and concerns

Examine diversity

Help students learn about themselves and others

Help students reflect on learning issues

Mentor and support students

Get to know students well

Cultivate peace and understanding one classroom at a time

Provide academic support

Grade Themes:

6^th Grade 7^th Grade 8^th Grade

Team and School Identity Team and School Identity Team and School Identity

Self-concept Self-concept Self-concept

Decision making Decision making Decision making

Academic support Academic support Academic support

Relationships  Relationships Relationships

Study skills Study skills Look to the future

School and academic awareness Service Learning Leadership

School orientation and adjustment