Alvirne High School staff members have found a new way to connect with their students: advisories.

Alvirne’s advisories were partly created in order for the school to be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Susan Bureau, dean of academics at Alvirne, has the hopes that "the advisories will build relationships among students and students with teachers, as well as enhancing our school community."

Teachers are given different ideas of what to discuss and activities that they can do to help interact with the students. Each advisory is allowed to do whatever would be most beneficial for them, but all are focused on the same central theme.

While this is Alvirne’s first year in implementing the advisories into the school schedule, Alvirne’s four core values – character, community, curiosity and commitment – will be implemented into the advisory program. These core values are integral in creating the healthy environment among students and staff at Alvirne High School. Friday, Sept. 18, was Alvirne’s first advisory, focused on the core value of community.

Advisories in general were received positively, but two groups in particular had a special moments that truly showed community. When English teacher Jennifer LaFrance‘s freshman advisory connected with English teacher Rachel Goldstein‘s senior advisory, it created a memorable experience for both students and teachers.

Senior students were asked to each write a piece of advice they would give their former freshman selves knowing what they know today. When the two classes connected, the freshman students were each given a piece of advice to read aloud to the rest of the students.

"I think it’s a good way to learn more about the people you go to school with," said senior Alicia Truitt, who participated in the activity. "You’d be surprised what you don’t know about people."

There were many difficulties in creating the advisories for this school year, but it is easy to see even after just one advisory period that the small bit of hassle is worth it for the rewarding experiences it brings to students and staff alike.

"The difficulties were ‘How are we going to fit this in a schedule with already burdened teachers?’ We had to take a little time from different classes for the 26-minute advisory," said Kathy Bouchard, librarian at Alvirne.

"We are looking at this school year as a pilot year in experimenting with the advisories," Bureau added.

Advisories will be held during students’ third-period class, two Fridays a month, and the entire student body is excited to see what this new opportunity will bring to the school.

Jordyn McFadden is a senior at Alvirne High School.