Southern Aroostook Middle School teachers and staff at Southern Aroostook Community School are being celebrated for the creation and implementation of a highly effective advisory period designed to reconnect students in a meaningful way. The program has been running for over a year and has helped students build a community in the middle school.
In a world dominated by screens and social media, the primary goal of the advisory period is simple but critical: to offer students authentic, tech-free opportunities to engage with their peers and develop essential social skills. The schedule, thoughtfully created by the middle school teachers and staff, carves out dedicated time during the school day specifically for non-academic, social-emotional growth.
The response from students and staff alike has been overwhelmingly positive. Rather than passively observing screens, students are actively choosing from a menu of activities, leading to genuine interaction and collaboration. Offerings include:
Physical Activity: Structured games and group fitness.
Creative & Cognitive: Dedicated time for building with LEGOs, working through complex Brain Puzzles, and participating in the Art Activities.
Literary & Strategic: Quiet time for Book Club discussions and competitive rounds of various Board Games.
This initiative reflects the dedicated staff’s deep understanding that social competency is a vital component of student success. By providing these structured, low-stakes environments, the advisory period has become a powerful tool for bridging divides, encouraging collaboration, and helping students develop the crucial soft skills they need to navigate middle school and beyond.
We extend our sincere thanks to the entire Middle School faculty and staff for their commitment to innovation and for providing such a necessary and enriching experience for our students. Their work ensures that student development extends well beyond the classroom walls.