MR. PIDOT'S

Teaching Website

Merion Mercy Academy

2011 - 2012

Merion Mercy Academy
511 Montgomery Avenue
Merion, PA 19066
ph: 610-664-6655 x.124
spidot@merion-mercy.com

Advisory Program

Mission Statement

The Advisory Program at Merion Mercy Academy guides and encourages students to be of keen mind, healthy body, and strong spirit. Within an embrace of Mercy core values, nurturing groups of faculty and students foster respect for community and empower individuals to achieve their personal best.

Goals within this mission include:

Establishing and following a predictable, dependable, and regular schedule of meeting times
Providing age-appropriate content for the different grades of high school
Underscoring the importance of and necessity for confidentiality
Allowing for choice (on the part of the faculty adviser) among designated co-curricular topics. Guided flexibility.
Encouraging discussion, activities, and reflection as means of group support
Processing information presented at other events on our school calendar (e.g. assemblies, workshops, social gatherings, field trips, etc.)

Adviser = mission keeper

Elements of a Successful Program

Consistent commitment to maintaining it
Support from administration and faculty "buy-in"
Clear topics / content
Scheduling and available time
Personnel (individual and team)
Energy and enthusiasm from students and adults
Shared expectations

Questions for Advisers to Consider and Discuss

How do we define our roles as advisers?
Why should advisory be a priority? What are our reasons?

Provides students with a forum for expression, process, reflection, and shared experience
Educates whole / entire person
Solidifies mission of the school
Fosters sense of community
Lets students feel safe, known, valued, and celebrated
Students need advocates and referrals on occasion
Keeps a favorable student to teacher ratio
Builds relationships and social skills for life lessons
Grants connections and accessibility to resources at school
Opens communication
Supports marginalized students

Proposed Content

Below, faculty advisers will find categorized links to themes, prompts, and topics tailored to each grade level. The Guidance Department and Plaid Committee have collaborated with the Activities Office on these ideas.

Naturally, the content is designed to enhance the advisory program's mission statement and to correspond (when relevant) to scheduled events (academic and otherwise) on the school calendar.

Freshman Advisers
Click here for 2011-2012 content
Click here for memo/activity on stereotypes
Click here for the 2011 Field Trip Day eGuide
Click here for pamphlet on Mercy Global Concerns from Sr. Deidre
Click here for content for the C.O.S. assembly on bullying

Sophomore Advisers
Click here for 2011-2012 content
Click here for memo/activity on stereotypes
Click here for the 2011 Field Trip Day eGuide
Click here for pamphlet on Mercy Global Concerns from Sr. Deidre
Click here for content for the C.O.S. assembly on body image
Click here for discussion on bullying

Junior Advisers
Click here for 2011-2012 content
Click here for memo/activity on stereotypes
Click here for the 2011 Field Trip Day eGuide
Click here for pamphlet on Mercy Global Concerns from Sr. Deidre
Click here for content for the C.O.S. assembly on dating violence/abuse
Click here for discussion on bullying

Senior Advisers
Click here for 2011-2012 content
Click here for memo/activity on stereotypes
Click here for the 2011 Field Trip Day eGuide
Click here for pamphlet on Mercy Global Concerns from Sr. Deidre
Click here for content for the C.O.S. assembly on alcohol
Click here for discussion on bullying