Significant Changes to the MHS Advisory Program

Medfield High School has officially implemented changes in the school advisory program for the 2012-2013 school year.

Last year was an introduction to the advisory program, the first time the majority of students had an organized opportunity—while in high school—to talk in a casual setting, free of academic scrutiny or grades. Students met every two weeks for about twenty minutes with a guiding lesson plan to discuss their high-school experiences.

The new school year has brought many changes to advisory.

First, the overall theme was changed from “community” to the “power of one,” emphasizing how each individual student can make a positive difference on a daily basis. This will come into play when, for the first time, each advisory will participate in a service project during the second semester.

There will also be many possible agendas for advisory teachers to choose from, all including a “mix of fun and activity,” according to Dean of Students Jeff Sperling. This flexibility will allow advisors to choose the best topics to suit their own advisory group.

The greatest change, however, will come from the inclusion of senior ambassadors into freshman advisories.

A few select times throughout the year, seniors will go to a specific freshman advisory to help with the transition from middle school to high school. The seniors will not be with the freshmen every advisory period, only when they have a particular goal to accomplish.

There are many high-school specific events unknown to the freshmen. These events— including club day, Spirit Week, and midyear exams — can be quite daunting. But to help their classmates, the seniors will be in advisories beforehand to explain, from experience, how these events work. According to Mr. Sperling, the addition of senior ambassadors is “a huge step forward.”

Advisories will meet once every two weeks throughout the school year with what Mr. Sperling describes as many “different and exciting” topics already in place.

By Craig Weisenfeld

Senior Editor

This article was written by Craig Weisenfeld, a Medfield High School student and member of the student newspaper, The Kingsbury Chronicle. The piece is part of Medfield Patch's weekly series, "Warrior Weekly," helping provide information about MHS to the local community.