Adventures in Advisory

By Khanhvy Phan

The morning sunlight shines through the second-floor glass panes of the affectionately called “New Building,” illuminating the bustle of activity in its hallways. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are at varying degrees of readiness in front of their blue-toned lockers. Some students are just arriving and hurriedly pulling books, notebooks, and binders out of their backpacks to jam into their lockers. Others casually socialize with their friends about the science test, last night’s game, or the latest viral trend. However, when the bell rings at 7:55 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays, students are like homing pigeons returning to their nests, seeking out their advisory spaces in varied locations throughout the school: from the cozy library on the first floor to the far corner of the second floor in the science lab. Finally, they are welcomed into their advisory by their advisors and peers, and they are ready to start their day.

Harbor Day’s School’s advisory program splits students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade into groups that meet three times a week with an advisor who has a group of about seven to nine students. Its primary purpose is to make sure that each student has an adult who can act as their advocate, which is often achieved through a mix of one-on-one and group guidance. These advisory periods perform several important functions, including: ● Preparing students for the school day ahead of them (in the morning) and getting a head start on homework or assignments (in the afternoon). ● Creating a sense of community and ensuring students know that there is always someone that they can turn to for help, whether academically, socially, or personally. ● Building a solid support system for each student by supplying a single point-person (their advisor) who will develop a strong relationship with them and their parents.

Beyond supporting strong academics, advisory also guides students to develop essential skills that will help them succeed throughout the rest of their lives, including: • Time management • The ability to plan ahead • Self-advocacy • The ability to ask for help when it is needed

Furthermore, advisory plays an important role in students’ social and emotional health. Middle school students are in a transition phase in their lives, and it is important to have a time and place to discuss and test out their feelings, fears, hopes, and dreams. By helping students work through social and emotional problems as they arise, advisory programs naturally create a positive and connected school culture.

Throughout the year, students and advisors share a lot of laughter, stories, and experiences with each other in the form of outdoor education trips, art activities, whole gradelevel challenges, Student Council decorating competitions, community service projects, and many more. These seemingly small moments relieve stress and anxiety and build lasting bonds among all members of the advisory.

In the end, what makes the Harbor Day School advisory program so powerful is the relationships that it cultivates between students and faculty.

These relationships allow for open communication, let students know they can ask for help, and give advisors insight into students’ struggles. These relationships truly support successful and confident students as they fly from the nest of Harbor Day School and soar into the wider world. n

Creative comparisons about the advisory program. Check out what sixth through eighth grade advisors have to say.

“Advisory is like a house cat. She warms up in the sunbeam of friendship, receives nourishment (of advice) from an adult, and stretches (in mindfulness).”

— HEATHER PAFF

7TH GRADE ADVISOR

“Advisory is that warm blanket that wraps us, protects us, and prepares us for the day ahead!” — MEGGEN STOCKSTILL

8TH GRADE ADVISOR

“Advisory is like eating Sour Patch Kids candy— a little zingy at times, but sweet at the core of all the experiences!” — KATIE RITZ

7TH GRADE ADVISOR

“Advisory is like a family. Sometimes you disagree, but you always want what is best for each other. And you always support one another.” — COURTNEY ZARRILLI

8TH GRADE ADVISOR

“Advisory is like a boat; it keeps you afloat and helps you cruise through the school year!”

— KATIE CURCI

8TH GRADE ADVISOR

“Advisory is like a Lego set because it is built piece by piece with the precision and care of a master builder.” — JON GROGAN

6TH GRADE ADVISOR

“Advisory is like an oasis in the middle of the desert— a refreshing place to stop and rejuvenate before continuing our journey.” — KHANHVY PHAN

7TH GRADE ADVISOR

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