Advisory

As the Maine Department of Education and the Collaborative for Social Emotional Learning (CASEL) describes it:

“CASEL defines SEL as the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. When Maine school districts apply SEL systemically across multiple contexts, every day human connections can be made and maintained for optimal growth and development. SEL is much more than a program or lesson to be applied once a week, it’s foundation for human emotional intelligence. As Maine educators it’s our job to see each student as the truly unique individual they are and to pour our hearts into growing good human beings.” (Maine DOE, What is SEL?)

Advisory gives us the space to teach these life long skills. Through CASEL’s collaboration with multitudes of research studies, it has been found that having an Advisory program that teaches SEL skills has lasting impacts not only on the student, but the community and economy as well. Five great reasons to support Advisory and SEL:

• Improved Academic Outcomes and Behaviors
• Long Term, Global Impact
• 11:1 Return on Investment
• Can Help Reduce Poverty, Improve Economic Mobility
• Improves Lifetime Outcomes

Intrigued and want to learn more? Visit the CASEL website and the Maine DOE's information on Social Emotional Learning.

We are very excited to be using the Second Step® Middle School Program. Second Step® is a research based program that provides a middle school appropriate curriculum, supplemental activities, and home connections. 

Advisory at FMS consists of a check in every morning we have school. These 10 minutes are an opportunity for students and teachers to connect and prepare for the day. Our goal is that every student at FMS can identify one teacher that they know cares about them and to provide a safe space to rebuild our community after a very stressful two years.

On Wednesdays, we have our Advisory lessons. Most Wednesdays these will be Second Step® lessons, however, we will also be providing opportunities for connection, collaboration, and fun!

Resources to learn more about Second Step:

• Visit the Second Step® Middle School Program website
• View the scope and sequence of this year's advisory lessons to follow along with your student’s learning, as well as connect with the curriculum at home.
• Explore some Second Step® sample lessons
• Access ParenTeen Connect, Second Step's parent website devoted to supporting parents through the middle school years. You can find helpful resources, advice, and even connect with other parents.