Once a month, Edison Intermediate School students attend this building activity called “Advisory.” It’s supposed to be a time to build community, connect with classmates, and talk about important topics that help students grow. Teachers and staff say it’s a good way to create a positive school environment and help students feel supported. The program is also state mandated for student wellness education. But if you ask the students, not everyone agrees that advisory serves its intended purpose.
The idea behind Advisory makes sense. It’s meant to give students a break from regular schoolwork and instead focus on things like teamwork, kindness, and communication. Ms. Wilson, a counselor at EIS, said, “I think it’s a great way for students to get to share their thoughts and feelings with their fellow students and a great way to start the morning.”
A lot of teachers believe that Advisory is an important part of the school experience and can make a big difference in how students feel during the day, but many students feel differently.“I don’t think it should be in the school day schedule, and, in my opinion, students don’t really use it,” said Silvia Perna, a sixth grader.
Another 6th grader, Andrew Briamode, added, “I don’t think the topics they talk about are relatable in my opinion.”
Seventh graders are also sharing their thoughts. Natalie Reisman said, “I think it’s a waste of time and thought and effort. I really think it should be eliminated from our schedule.”
“I think that the topics that they talk about are boring and teachers should make it more fun,” said Sawyer Daniels, also in seventh grade.
Eighth grader Bryn Ferreira agreed and said, “The topics they talk about are annoying. However, it depends on what teacher you have for Advisory.”
While most students don’t seem to enjoy Advisory, there are still a few who find some good in it. Ethan Applebee, an 8th grader, said, “It’s good because it cuts off a couple minutes of your regular class during the day.”
So, why do so many students not like Advisory? A lot of them say it just feels boring, and the topics don’t connect to real life. They say it doesn’t feel useful and would rather spend the time doing something they enjoy or something that helps them academically.
Some students have suggested that Advisory could be improved by making the lessons more interactive or giving students more control over what they talk about. Instead of just going through slides or worksheets, they want games, discussions, and fun team-building activities that actually bring students together. They believe it should be something that excites students, not something they dread. According to Mrs. Erin Meade, eighth grade Language Arts teacher, there needs to be enthusiasm for Advisory to work. “Ms. Grajales and I really try to make Advisory exciting for our class. We laugh a lot, make it interactive, and try to be energetic to get everyone’s buy in.”
Even though most students aren’t the biggest fans of Advisory right now, the idea behind it still has potential. With a little teamwork between teachers and students, Advisory could turn into something that actually helps the school grow closer and builds real school spirit. As eighth grader Diya Patel said, “It gives students a new perspective on school, and it helps them learn to be the best version of themselves in little ways.”
But for now, it’s clear that most students at Edison Intermediate School think Advisory is more of a miss than a hit. While teachers believe it has an important purpose, students are hoping for something more engaging and exciting. Only time will tell if Advisory can become something students actually look forward to.
