For students in the middle and high school at St. Mary’s, the advisory lessons has been a vital part of our school curriculum. High School counselor Mr. Brown explained that Advisory serves a non academic period of the school week that allows us to practice a healthy mindset and to practice healthy relationships. By practicing these healthy habits, it allows us to grow into better people helping us both academically, socially, and mentally.
There are several special activities this year. Mr Coleman, Director of Technology, has given presentations with the 9th and 10th grade regarding healthy use and living in technology. Similarly, in grade 11, Healthy relationships lessons are being taught during these and the upcoming advisory lessons. With exam stress from the IB tailing the Grade 12 students were given time off from academics to work on their college applications, and also given weekly mental/academic from teachers during the lessons. We wish the Class of 2025 good luck!
One of the activities that the high school counseling team has thankfully done for our school is the implementation of our on-going yearly event of Freeze and Read. All this week, students and teachers have stopped what they are doing and read a book for 10 minutes at a scheduled time in the day. By having high schoolers read, it models good habits for the younger students. Furthermore, in advisory lessons, the High school faculty voted on what books are to be read in each grade. In 9th grade: Lord of the Flies, 10th: An Absolutely remarkable thing, 11th: Left Hand of Darkness, and 12th: The obstacle is the way. Reading is good way to improve your cognitive skills and even social skills. According to ThriftBooks, people who read at least 20 minutes a day are exposed to 20 million words each year. On November 14th, students will come together from each grade to discuss the books.
