Notes from 4.26.07 meeting
Orientation group
Outcomes
- Understand/internalize philosophy (self-directed, responsible, etc)
- school spirit
- feeling welcome (for newcomers)
- leadership in Steller community (in and out of school)
- involvement/leadership for parents from the start
- empowerment, “I can do anything” mindsets
- responsible freedom
- respect for Steller, self, and others
- get practical information
o rules, ‘the ropes’, sports, clubs
- expectations (behavior, academic, community)
- understand the purposes of Advisory Groups
- traditions/special aspects (ASHs, murals, Olympics, etc)
- Tips & Tricks (lunch info, lockers, registration)
- fun stuff (i.e. the tunnels)
- social aspects (no cliques, all-age respect)
- prep 7th graders for the “big, wide world” (personal safety)
- willingness to accept change/innovation
- students who take initiative
- what makes Steller unique
Strategies
- orientation every quarter at the grade level
- gain time by allotting one counseling group slot to grade level meetings
- more meat/less entertainment in 3-day orientation
o accomplishment, not just fun
- seminar and role-play philosophy
- practice IS contracts/other common Steller activities
- define grade level needs
- talk about philosophy more often
- have juniors and seniors lead orientation for younger students
- retreats, share experiences, special attributes, etc
- use counseling groups to refresh orientation info
- taught class covering philosophy, SDLs, peer-taught, etc
- 7th period meetings for orientation w/credit
- Give information as it is needed, not all at once
- Involve all new students in orientation, not just 7th graders
- Intro to seminar for 7th graders
- All-school volunteering day
- Older students mentor younger, keep it going
- Get parent permission at registration for off-campus lunch tour
- All-school lunch potluck
- Older students guide new students on safety (drugs, alcohol, etc)
- Look at age-appropriate steps
- Written goals so students know expectations at each grade level
- Use parents, former students, and former staff at orientation (esp. w/philosophy)
- Get students involved, how will you personally apply the philosophy?
- Recognize all students develop differently
- Revisit plans that worked before
- Doesn’t have to be complicated
- Excitement, quality presentations!
Challenges/Problems
- hard to get students up to speed quickly enough
- staff burden – extra compensation for extra work
- kids who come in after 7th grade miss info
- new students need to bond with own class and get intro info
- community service projects at beginning too early, may not get it
- lack of time for more days of orientation
- lack of attendance at counseling groups
Next Steps
- recruit alumni, variety of people
- research past practices
- ASEC, keep meeting regularly and share info with parents, students, and staff (website)