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Revamped Advisory program: Rooted in care, built for growth

Revamped Advisory program: Rooted in care, built for growth

by Shannon Dufresne
 

Ursuline’s revitalized Advisory program has become a cornerstone of student life during the 2024–25 school year, offering students in grades 6 through 12 a meaningful space for connection, reflection, and growth. Grounded in the school’s enduring charism of care, the program supports students at every stage of development.

For middle school students, each day began with a consistent and purposeful Advisory period.  Students spend time organizing materials, reviewing schedules, and easing into the school day. This daily routine fosters emotional regulation and executive functioning, creating the stability essential for early adolescence.

These sixth graders took time during Advisory to decorate the locker of a transfer student in time for her first day at Ursuline.


For high schoolers, Advisory shifts toward a more reflective model. Older students engage in responsive conversations, check-ins, and peer support sessions that allow them to process their experiences and prepare for upcoming transitions. Activities prioritize student voice and leadership, with a strong emphasis on goal-setting, independence, academic growth, and college preparation.

Sophomores show off their creative side during Advisory, October 2024.


Mrs. Rosie Yang ’07, science teacher and lead advisor, sees the program as far more than a routine check-in. “Advisory at TUS is rooted in a charism of care and community,” Yang said. “It provides a consistent space where students build meaningful relationships, feel supported and grow together through shared experiences.”

Advisory at TUS is rooted in a charism of care and community,” Yang said. “It provides a consistent space where students build meaningful relationships, feel supported and grow together through shared experiences.”
- Mrs. Rosie Yang, science teacher and lead advisor

Advisors build strong individual connections with students by creating time for one-on-one check-ins and informal conversations. These moments offer students access to trusted adults who guide them through challenges both in and out of the classroom.

Community-building events further strengthen the program. During the schoolwide Halloween parade, seniors showcased their creativity as younger students cheered them on and happily collected candy along the way. Grade-level activities encouraged bonding across the school: ninth and 10th graders competed in a spirited “Advisory Deal or No Deal” game; eighth graders participated in a bubble gum blowing contest; and juniors and seniors raced through the building in groups during a fast-paced scavenger hunt, solving clues and competing for bragging rights. Each event created fun, memorable, and sometimes delightfully silly moments that brought students together, giving them a chance to unwind, laugh, and connect outside the classroom.

Throughout the year, Advisory remained responsive to student needs. Group discussions often follow major tests or challenging weeks, providing students with an opportunity to reflect and share strategies for managing academic stress. Students openly exchanged time management tips, study techniques, and words of encouragement, fostering a culture of peer support and collaboration.

As its first year comes to a close, Advisory has established itself as a welcome place to celebrate students' strengths and accomplishments. Whether recognizing academic milestones, athletic achievements, theater performances, or club leadership, these moments have helped students feel visible and valued. With its balance of structure, care, and community-building, Ursuline’s Advisory program effectively conveys student support in action. It continues to affirm a simple yet powerful message: Students thrive when they are known, nurtured, and connected. 

Dr. Melnyk addresses parents during special Advisory presentation, 'Learning to Thrive,' September 10, 2024.

 

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