By Marie Moeller ‘15

As of next school year, advisory periods for all students will be implemented specifically within Sherwood. These advisory periods will be every Tuesday in between third and forth period for 27 minutes, shortening lunch and other class periods. In each period, students will watch the announcements and participate in discussions on “thematic content,” including topics such as goal setting, balancing academic and social life and learning to handle failure.

The advisory periods will focus on creating a setting in which students can have face-to-face contact with teachers, in which students can address any academic or social issue. “Students should benefit from stopping to think about what they are doing and be given an opportunity to discuss it with a caring adult and with peers who are faced with the same issues,” said social studies teacher Aileen Woolley, who is coordinating and overseeing the program.

These themes are not set in stone. The advisory periods integrate each topic, which generally consist of key characteristics of successful individuals, with current events, such as gratitude being reflected upon during Thanksgiving. These conversations among the class will educate students on specific traits while allowing them to connect personally to the subject at the same time.

“Researchers have identified non-cognitive skills or traits that can benefit students … It is our plan to bring these traits to the attention of students, share what we have learned about their importance in achieving success and work with students on ways to develop these traits more fully,” said special education teacher Linda Glixon.

The idea was brought to the administration by several teachers, including Woolley and Glixon, who formed the Character Committee. Committee members held book clubs for the staff on “How Children Succeed” by Paul Tough, which sheds light on the importance of concepts such as grit, curiosity and self-control in the development and success of students. After group discussions that spanned several months, the Character Committee formed the idea for advisory periods, building off the thesis presented in the book. “The research is strong on their effectiveness, so the end goal is to develop the best format and content for Sherwood,” said Woolley.