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Advisor/Advisee Program

At GTCHS there is a new program called Advisor/Advisee. Every month all of our students meet with an adult leader to discuss important topics or participate in helpful activities. Each group will consist of 10-12 students and one adult to allow for more personal contact and academic success. As our student body continues to change due to the increased enrollment and expanding curriculum, this personal attention has become even more important. Many of our new students come into GTCHS without knowing anyone. Even our current students need an adult to talk with sometimes and to act as an advocate. This program provides everyone an opportunity to identify with a small group of students and an adult and can support our students as they transition from one grade to the next and to college.

Some other benefits of the program are found in the topics we discuss. These topics include the new school policies, graduation requirements, college and career planning, decision making, and learning styles. On many occasions, Advisory groups will discuss topics specific to their grade level, such as college plans for seniors or SAT preparation for our juniors. In the small group settings, each student will have the opportunity to receive closer attention and reach a better understanding of issues discussed.

The advisory program has many benefits and will help GTCHS continue to be a leader in education. Whether it is personal attention or the topics that help the individual student, this program has much to offer everyone.

Goals
Improve relationships in the building -adult to student -student to student Develop a sense of belonging to the school -provide a home base for each student Improve communication -student to adult -adult to adult -adult to home -team to team (cross grade levels) Promote a sense of school as a "safe haven" for students Develop advocacy -an adult that each student can go to for support -mentoring re: student academic achievement -liaison between student and others in the building Provide a time to dignify the student experience -build self esteem -see themselves as successful members in the learning community Foster community spirit -respect for the school as a family -sense of community among staff

Advisory is....
-Building Relationships -Advisement, assistance, advocacy -Exploring values -Source of support -Structured activity -Academic support -Flexibility -Building self-esteem and community spirit-Isolating individuals

Advisory is not....
-Heavy counseling -Teaching values -Substitute for guidance -Free time -Study hall -Not the same for all -Building insecurities

Benefits of Advisory
1. All students are well known by at least one adult. 2. Minimizes the chance of students "falling through the cracks". 3. Identifies students "at risk?. 4. Improves the school climate -positive environment. 5. Promotes connections 6. Students are noticed. 7. Opens channels of communication. 8. Fosters understanding behind school policies. 9. Opportunity to address school-related problems and issues. 10. Forum to share expectations 11. Designated time to address student issues. 12 Improves cooperative problem-solving skills. 13. Improves social skills. 14. Develops listening skills. 15. Advisors "model" appropriate social skills. 16. Teachers cooperative learning techniques. 17. Promotes pride in the individual school. 18. Reduces discipline problems. 19. Vehicle for gathering student input. 20. Advisors are viewed as "real people".

Topic Suggestions
Student suggestions Issues & concerns related to school experiences Peer issues/getting along with others Communication skills: friends, staff, parents Decision making/choices Study skills Community service Caring behavior Appropriate behavior/conduct Current events Academic concerns Exploring self-Identity Values Celebrate student accomplishments Problem solving Physical activities/Cooperative games

Guidelines for Group
Everyone gets a turn Everyone listens No interruptions Equal time for everyone No put downs No one may leave unless it's an emergency What is said here, stays here You may pass, but you must listen No gossiping Stick to topic when speaking Appropriate behavior & language must be used at all times.

Organization
The groups will be divided into grade level groups balancing the male/female ratio and bilingual students. The advisory committee will then check for apparent problems (i.e. balance of bilingual students, behavior, male /female ratio, etc..) Although we don't want to encourage changes, there has been a proposed adjustment day for any changes that need to be made in groupings.

Time
The advisory groups will meet at least once a month during an extended lunch period with the option of extending sessions for special all school activities and class meetings.

Advisory Leader Absence
Student folders will be available with scheduled activities as described in the Advisory Lesson Plan. The advisor will be responsible for explaining the program and passing the plan on to the substitute. Each advisor should also partner with another advisor so that if one advisor is out the other can cover in the event that there is no sub available.

Introduction of Advisory Program
A newsletter will be sent to all parents and students at the start of school. The letter should include the goals of the program and what the advisory program is about. The staff will receive a lesson plan for activities prior to meeting students each month. There will also be a discussion during common planning and /or staff meetings whenever necessary to assist advisors.

Topics for Groups
- letter of explanation - goals of the program - guidelines (suggested topics, benefits, sample lessons) - responsibilities - activities

Evaluation
The students will be asked to fill out questionnaires evaluating the program. We will also try to use faculty meetings and common planning time to discuss the program and to solve any problems that arise.

Student Input
A students' suggestion box will be located in the guidance office. Students will write suggestions/complaints/concerns and deposit them in the box. Only signed comments will be taken seriously. The general comments will be discussed at faculty meetings. If there is a comment directed toward any specific advisory leader, that leader will receive the comment rather than sharing it at a faculty meeting. We will keep the general comments on file (notebook) for future reference.

New Students
The guidance office will help assign new students and make any changes needed. Before making an assignment, the guidance counselor will check existing group balance and confer with the teachers and students involved. Process for Changing Students If a student wishes to change advisors during the school year he or she must: 1. Meet with own advisor and discuss situation. If this is not possible, student may use the suggestion box. 2. There will be a meeting of the Student, Advisor and Guidance Counselor. 3. As a result of this meeting a decision/resolution will be made.

Report Cards
Report cards and progress reports will be given out by the advisor during meeting time as indicated on the school calendar. Both the progress reports and the report cards will be returned to the advisor as requested with parent signatures. Memos and announcements should be given to advisors by on the Monday prior to the Advisor/Advisee period to be included with report cards. Each advisor will pick up report cards in the office during planning time the day before advisory periods.