Middle School Advisory

Andover Public Schools are in the process of analyzing and developing a common schedule across all three Middle Schools. This process will eventually allow for a consistent Middle School Advisory experience. Under the current schedule model, our Middle School Advisory programs have a different presence in each school.

West Middle School: Advisory Block

The West Middle Advisory Block is a designated time, once a week where students meet to focus on social and emotional mindset and goals. Advisory is designed to offer an inclusive safe space outside of the academic classrooms for all students. The hope is for students to access another adult in the building that they can trust and build a supported relationship with. Students are grouped randomly within their grade level of 10 or so other peers. This random selection is done with the goal of establishing new peer relationships. During the 25 minute block the students follow lessons that support building community, self-awareness, social awareness and agency. The program runs once a week throughout the school year and is a big representation of the West Middle School climate.

Wood Hill Middle School: CREW

CREW time provides a small group setting for Wood Hill students which allows for open communication about topics of adolescent concern with a thoughtful, caring adult. Giving students a voice about issues creates a sense of support that leads to a positive vision of the student's future.

Content:

Theme or topic based discussions(coping skills, self-esteem/self identity, communication, bullying, community service)
Theme or topic based Role Play
learning styles and self interest inventories
skill based lessons(study strategies, time management, goal setting)
team building activities
celebrations of student accomplishments

Purpose:

To have every student be known well by at least one adult
To provide a sense of community so that students will feel accepted and valued by advisors and peers
To give students opportunities to discover their uniqueness so that they might come to appreciate the main differences among people
To give students an opportunity to deal with issues and concerns related to their personal school experience
To provide students an opportunity to develop social, conflict resolution, and communication skills
To heighten student awareness of good citizenship by providing opportunities for meaningful contributions to their school environment

Mental Health Screenings & Supporting Curriculum

Universal Mental Health Screening (Grades 7-8) BIMAS-2: The APS mental health team has adopted the Behavior Intervention Monitoring Assessment System (BIMAS-2) to help screen student social-emotional wellness, learning, and development. APS is currently screening students twice a school year, once in the fall and once in the spring.

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT- Grade 7): SBIRT in Schools is a proactive approach to having conversations about substance use. APS Currently uses the SBIRT screening in grades 7 and 9.

Signs of Suicide Health Curriculum (Grade 7): The Middle School Component of the Signs of Suicide Health Curriculum is taught in our grade 7 Health classes. Further information and resources can be found here.

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