Helping Kids Thrive

Student Advisory

What is student advisory? Many schools set aside time each week for students to meet one-on-one and/or in small groups with trained advisors to focus exclusively on character and civic development.

Kids get to discuss day-to-day issues, define their values, develop a trusting relationship with an adult advocate, hone communication skills, participate in social justice or service-learning projects, and explore what it takes to be one’s best—and bring out the best in others—in any circumstance.

Would you like to create a new student advisory in your school? Could an existing program use more substance, structure or pizzazz? Helping Kids Thrive can help. Contact us to learn more.

Program Design

HKT can design or revamp a program to suit your needs. Sample components:

  • One-on-one advisory
  • Student self-assessment measures
  • Healthy choices & decision making
  • Effective communication and social skills
  • Conflict resolution
  • Goal-setting
  • Cooperative games
  • Making transitions
  • Service learning
  • Social justice projects
  • Diversity training
  • Adventure activities
  • Thought-provoking discussion prompts
  • Independent study topics

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Advisor Training

Training helps to ensure that teachers and other staff members are confident and ready to take on an advisory role. Sample training topics:

  • Mentoring 101
  • Advocacy 101
  • Topics & formats for discussions
  • Building relationships with parents
  • Dealing with resistance from students
  • Motivational interviewing techniques
  • Skills to invite cooperation
  • When a topic makes you uncomfortable…
  • Engaging kids’ creativity

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Did You Know…

The National Conference of State Legislatures recently resolved that academic achievement “must go hand-in-hand with the acquisition of traits such as honesty, fairness, cooperation, respect for others, kindness, trustworthiness, the ability to resolve conflict, and the insight to understand why such character traits are important.”

Resources

All of Lisa Sjostrom’s curricula can be effectively incorporated into student advisory programs. » more information