The promise to “know and love your child” is one that we are serious aboutat St. Johns, and our advisor program is one way that we honor that promise. As is common to all advisor programs, our aim is to create a one-on-one relationship between students and caring teachers. Advisors extend themselves to the students, not as buddies, but as adults willing to go extra steps, to be available to students when they need an advocate, a sympathetic ear or an accurate sounding board.
Middle School advisor groups meet every Monday of the month unless a Middle School chapel is being held. Students are assigned an advisor who is either part of the grade level teaching team or a resource teacher to the grade. Topics chosen for discussion address the unique needs of a middle grades student. Lessons run the gamut from personal/social to academic and always include a discussion of the Character Virtue of the Month. Activities and games that create interaction among the advisees are often planned for fun and to help build stronger relationships between group members.
Middle School advisors are directly involved in the academic program of their grade level advisees and therefore are strategically able to address astudent’s progress throughout the quarter. This is especially important as the students learn to practice greater independence in the middle years. The advisor attends parent conferences and welcomes a partnership with the parents to foster the student’s optimum academic and social experience in Middle School.