This fall, South Orangetown Middle School will pilot an advisory program to strengthen students’ connection with the school community.
“Advisory programs establish a formalized mentor relationship between teachers and small groups of students to offer consistent, personalized support in navigating academic and social challenges,” explained Principal Chad Corey, Ed.D. “They foster a sense of belonging and help ensure that all students have a positive school experience.”
The initiative is the next step in SOMS’ efforts to enhance school culture, which have helped the school earn its fourth consecutive designation as a National School to Watch and recognition as a 2023 Association for Middle Level Education School of Distinction. In fact, last month, Corey and then-Assistant Principal Danielle Page, Ed.D. presented this work at UNITED: The National Conference on School Leadership, co-sponsored by the National Association for Elementary School Principals and National Association for Secondary School Principals, in Nashville, TN.
“Our presentation delved into strategies that empower middle schools to foster inclusivity,” explained Page. “We discussed methods that we’ve implemented at SOMS to nurture a sense of belonging among diverse student populations and emphasized the importance of cultivating a supportive climate that celebrates differences, enhancing student engagement and overall well-being within middle school communities.”
The goal of their presentation was to share SOMS’ work with peers from across the nation. “Learning about inclusive culture equips school leaders with the knowledge to create safer, more supportive spaces, reduce exclusionary behavior and promote academic success. Understanding inclusive cultures in middle schools is vital for leaders to ensure that every student feels valued, respected, and capable of reaching their full potential,” Corey added.