The document outlines the goals and structure of an advisory program at the Bronx School of Law and Finance. The advisory program aims to create a small, personal learning environment where students stay with the same advisor for all four years of high school. Advisors meet with students daily for 30 minutes and serve as the primary contact with families. Challenges include ensuring buy-in from teachers and a common vision, while benefits include developing community, accountability, and ensuring every student has an adult advocate. The school aims to strengthen the program by emphasizing their common vision and developing a standard curriculum.

1. Building a Successful Advisory Program Bronx School of Law and Finance July 10 th , 2008

2. Agenda Who are we? Icebreaker Overview of our school Defining Advisory Overview of our advisory Challenges Benefits Lessons learned Future goals Your best practices Questions

3. Who are we? Dr. Jessica Goring, Assistant Principal, Founding Member of the School Xiomara Gonzalez, Math Teacher Lena Borst, Academy of Finance Coordinator Who’s in the Room? (Icebreaker)

4. The Bronx School of Law and Finance Located in the Bronx, New York City Opened five years ago Approximately 400 Students Small themed high school Law Academy Academy of Finance Title I school with many students entering below grade level

5. A better view of who we are… The Pearson Foundation created a video demonstrating personalization within our school. http://www.pearsonfoundation-naf.org/academydevelopment/

6. What is advisory? Please take this time to define advisory at your table (two minute brainstorm) Share as a group Watch our students define our advisory

7. The History and Goals of Advisory at BSLF Not creating a small-sized large school Established as part of the mission of our school to create a small, personal learning environment Attended workshops Hired advisory consultant Created intense PD for new teachers Expect the unexpected

8. Structure 30 minutes EVERY DAY Advisor and group of advisees stay together for FOUR years Advisory considered a teacher prep/assignment Advisor becomes primary contact with student’s home Advisor is liaison between student and content teachers Advisor meets with content teachers weekly and then conferences with students individually

9. Structure continued… Letter writing Non-traditional classroom set-up What happens in advisory stays in advisory Teacher freedom

10. 30 minutes: Oh the possibilities… What happens in advisory: Freshmen – Personal/Group Development, Buy-in, Acclimation to High School Sophomore – Health, Personal/Group Development Junior- SAT Prep, Academic Emphasis, Professionalism, College Process Senior – College Applications, Preparing for Life Beyond High School

11. Advisory Activities that Work Banner competition Ice Breakers Games focused on group bonding Group Circle Discussions (Reflection, Response to Articles) Update Days Positive Reward/Award Days (Trips/Parties) Music based activities

12. Challenges Buy-in by teachers and students Standardized curriculum Common and consistent vision of advisory among faculty and students Adjusting advisory to a growing school Inner-advisory conflict It’s emotional!!!!!!!! Teacher vs. Social Worker (“I wasn’t trained for this.”) Knowing your limits

13. Benefits of having an advisory Personal Pride Daily Sense of Community Social Responsibility and Academic Accountability Stronger Parent Communication with School Development of Inter-Personal Skills EVERY STUDENT IS WELL KNOWN BY AT LEAST ONE ADULT

14. Lessons Learned Necessity of a common vision and understanding of advisory Necessity of meeting daily and staying together throughout high school Maximum of 40 minutes Solid advisory lesson plans/curriculum Private environment

15. More Lessons Learned Take the time to develop the advisors and ensure buy-in of faculty Allow a full prep for advisory (this creates budget issues – but pick priorities) Include advisory as part of your teacher selection process Reflect on and change advisory as school evolves

16. Future Goals Place a STRONG EMPHASIS on developing and maintaining common vision Develop a standard curriculum Ensure all new staff are fully acclimated and trained to be an advisor Continue to improve communication and daily meetings between advisors, parents, students, and teachers

17. Other Ideas What are some best practices for advisory at your school?

18. Questions