“Virtues in Practice is a program for children in grades pre-kindergarten through eight to grow closer to Jesus by imitating His life and virtues. It is set up in such a way that a whole school studies the same virtue each month, to provide a whole-school (and at home, whole-family) focus. The program covers 27 virtues over a three-year cycle, with 81 saints held up as models of the virtues.”
From the Virtues in Practice Program by the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecelia
The Middle School Advisory Program
Virtue and character formation: The Advisory Groups are a place to intentionally focus on personal character and developing the virtues appropriate for a Catholic school. Also, when certain school wide issues need to be addressed, they can be addressed in the Advisory Group.
Advocacy: Each Advisor can get to know deeply a small group of students, and be more aware of what may be going on in his or her life. The advisor is a first point of contact for the parent who may have general concerns about non-academic issues like social skills and character formation. The Advisor also goes to any IEP/504 or parent meetings for his or her Advisee that are appropriate, and may be invited to other meetings between the principal and parents.
Community building: The Advisory Groups form a smaller group within the class for students to encourage one another and build one another up. They are a place for nurturing positive relationships, and for practicing often-missing social skills in an environment supervised and directed by their Advisor.