Introducing an advisory program at ISB 2009

1. Program, Mission, Roles and Responsibilities,
Activities and Calendars

2. The mission of the ISB middle and high school
advisory program is based around the ideals of
each student’s safety, spirit, responsibility, and
resiliency.
An effective advisory program ensures that every
student has the opportunity to feel known,
heard, and understood.
Within the program students will optimize social
and academic competencies that they need to
navigate the hurdles of middle and high school
as well as make a smooth transition to college
and career….

3. Additionally, we encourage each student to
develop, access, and demonstrate
interpersonal and cultural awareness.
Students make meaningful connections with
other students and with adults, and take
personal responsibility for contributing to a
positive school culture.

4. An advisory teacher
takes on different
roles in this class than
typical teaching
roles. An advisor
fulfills the goals of the
advisory mission
statement by:
Being an advocate for
each student within
the group

5. Creating a safe space within which students
feel that they have a “home base”—a place
where they can express their thoughts and
feelings freely
Participating with the students in every
activity in advisory

6. Helping students bond on a personal
level with each other and with adults
in the school community and beyond.
Fostering the development of study
skills and appropriate work habits

7. Promoting acceptable behavior
within the school community
Monitoring student records and
academic progress

8. Service learning: ongoing
relationship in school community
Futures (college/career planning,
grade/school/country transitions)
Keeping personal information about
students confidential

9.  Providing additional intervention and support to students
who demonstrate patterns of academic, behavioral, social
or emotional difficulties
 Assisting teachers and advisors with strategies to work
with students
 Meeting with the appropriate grade levels to conduct
specialized sessions focused on transitions, career
searches, university applications, academic requirements,
etc.
 Being an ongoing resource to advisors to assist with
strategies and problem-solving in their advisory
activities/meetings.
 Disseminating confidential information about students on
a need-to-know basis

10.  Administering disciplinary measures to
students who violate academic or behavioral
codes
 Disseminating confidential information about
students on a need-to-know basis
 Consulting with teachers/advisors/counselors
about student issues as needed
 Assisting with parent contact and liaison
arrangements

11.  Monitoring students’ academic
progressBottom of Form
 Designing appropriate action plans when
students are not achieving academic success
 Conducting specialized sessions in Diploma
program options and course selection, the
Grade 10 Personal Project, etc.

12.  Organizing community outreach programs
 Meeting with students of all grade levels to
discuss service opportunities
 Providing means of documentation and
following up on and “signing off” on CAS
completion

13.  One person speaks at a time

 Agree to disagree in an atmosphere of mutual respect

 Give each person the right to have and express his/her own view

 Emphasize the positive points

 Listen actively

 No put-downs and/or mocking allowed

 Allow everyone to speak, trying not to exclude anyone

 Try not to make a second comment until everyone has spoken once

 Everyone has a right to pass

 Use “I” statements as a way of expressing views

 Respect confidentiality

14.  Getting-to-know-you-better activities
 Individual interviews