ABC (Advisory Builds Character)
During advisory classes all students at Garrard Middle School participate in learning activities that build character. The staff has dedicated advisory class each day to the teaching of character education through the review of school wide-behavioral expectations, teaching the character word of the day/week, and planning assemblies that involve the whole community. A student-led assembly recognizes local Veterans for their military service. Advisory teachers plan engaging lessons and hands-on experiences daily, such as role-playing, group work and displays of student work to reinforce character concepts throughout the school building. Through implementation of PBIS (Positive Behavior Instructional Supports) a program to reinforce positive behavior, the advisory class is a place where a caring adult can explain and teach desired behaviors to replace undesired behaviors. Students get guidance, peer assistance and motivation to utilize the character traits about which they are learning. Together all of these facets of the advisory program have improved the school culture, reduced the number of discipline referrals and created a climate much more conducive to learning.