Advisory builds relationships

By Sara Banton and Lindsey McKim

Student Advisory is a new program aimed at building student and staff relationships.

Administrators placed students in small groups with a staff or faculty member. The groups meet every Wednesday during ABC Time for goal setting, “We R 1” lessons and academic progress checks.

Associate principal Robert Turpin helped organize the program.

“The goal of Student Advisory is to build relationships. We really want to build that bridge and connect with our students,” Mr. Turpin said.

Librarian Brooke Davis said the groups have the potential to make students feel less alone.

“I can be an extra mom or big sister to be there for kids who need to talk,” Mrs. Davis said.

Sophomore Rebekah Grainer said that student advisory will have a positive impact.

“It will help me personally by giving me a teacher to go to if I have any troubles,” Rebekah said.

The school leadership team is in charge of Student Advisory. Over the summer, they gave faculty and staff members the chance to request three to five students for Student Advisory. Other students were assigned randomly.

Senior Sydney Williamson said she likes the fact that you can’t choose your student advisor.

“It gives people a chance to have somebody who is on their side,” Sydney said.

English teacher and Center for Communications department leader Beverley Lanier usually only teaches students in the center.

“It gives me a chance to work with students who are in the comprehensive high school,” Ms. Lanier said.

Freshman Kristopher Riggs said that he would like to have more Student Advisory time.

“It gives me time to get my mind off of school work and focus more on me,” Kristopher said.

School counselor LeKai Butler said that it is relaxing and refreshing.

“Having mentoring programs available for females and males sets the tone and builds the bridge between academic success and the world,” Ms. Butler said.