WB_042618

16 | April 26, 2018 | The wilmette beacon school
wilmettebeacon.com
New Trier District 203 School Board
Long-standing adviser system may undergo updates
Daniel I. Dorfman
Freelance Reporter
New Trier High School
officials believe there are
several positive aspects
to the current administration
of the school’s adviser
system, yet noted some adjustments
may be made in
the future.
Throughout the course
of three years, a Washington
D.C.–based research
firm was retained by the
school to examine the
school’s adviser program
where the framework has
been in place for more
than 50 years, according
to school officials. Results
and findings were the topic
of discussion at the school
board’s regular meeting
Monday, April 16.
Among the topics studied
was students having
advisers of the same gender,
which has been the
long-standing situation at
New Trier.
Nevertheless, that policy
may be altered at some
point as the school reaches
out to its transgender student
community.
“I hate the thought of
a kid walking into an adviser
every day feeling
marginalized and not belonging
there,” said Greg
Robitaille, school board
president.
Choices
aregood.
Assistant Superintendent
Tim Hayes noted there
wasn’t a consensus opinion
from the student body on
the gender situation.
“Some students want
that to be a change and
some don’t,” Hayes said.
Adjustments in terms
of communication with
parents, standardizing a
school message or when
a student should talk to an
adviser versus their class
teacher might be areas
where changes could be
made.
Superintendent Paul
Sally believed the system
worked well, but was not
perfect.
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“Examining what areas
we need to improve is always
important,” Sally said.
Hayes recommended
any changes on the adviser
program be part of
the upcoming update to
the school’s strategic plan
that may be reviewed and
approved by the board in
January 2019.
Overall, Hayes noted the
adviser program goes back
1917 and it was formalized
in 1924, and last reviewed
in 1965.
“It seemed appropriate
to conduct another study
of the program just to determine
in the decades
that had gone, there were
significant changes that
we should take a look at,”
Hayes said.
There are 122 advisors
SNAP
From Page 12
focused, trying their best
— that’s who we are taught
to look up to, and that is a
very motivating tip that is
useful in all areas of life.”
Fox cites the benefits of
competitions as a place to
gain valuable feedback,
build camaraderie among
dancers and teams, and the
chance to see other dancers
of various levels perform.
“Competitions can be
inspiring and motivating,”
Fox said. “Many of our
students come back from
competitions with fresh
ideas and a desire to work
even harder. But, competitions
aren’t the only place
to become inspired. We
often dance at senior living
centers and I see just as
much joy come from putting
a smile on an elderly
person’s face. My point
is, again, competitions are
at the Winnetka campus
and 40 at the freshman
Northfield campus. Hayes
said advisers are available
to spend 25 minutes
per day with students and
there is an approximate 25
student-per-adviser ratio.
Hayes noted the adviser,
among other things, serves
as the student’s advocate
and the majority of parents
were happy with the program,
based on the results
they received.
“Parents view the program
as having a significant
impact on their ability
to work with the school,”
Hayes said. “It gives the
parent an advocate for their
student at the school.”
School officials acknowledge
some teachers
have backed away from
a piece of what we do —
an overall compliment to
all the opportunities our
students receive, allowing
them to grow as performers
and people too.”
Along with competitions
and days of service,
SNAP dancers and music
students perform at Disney
World, Six Flags Great
America, Wilmette’s Summerfest
and even in New
York City, just to name a
few experiences. Throughout
the year, productions
such as the recent annual
Spring Fling Concert, allowed
the 72 company
dancers to perform their
full repertoire. Earlier in
March, SNAP participated
in Progressions Dance
Festival, joining forces
with a variety of local
dance companies.
As a result of the company’s
dedication and
hard work, the following
awards were earned at two
being a mentor to the students
due to the time commitments
but there is relatively
low turnover.
Robitaille chosen to remain
board president
In separate action, the
board re-elected Robitaille
to be president for the
2018-19 school year. Robitaille
joined the board in
2013 and moved up to the
presidency role in 2016.
Following the meeting,
Robitaille said he intends
for this to be his last year
as president.
Board members also
nominated Cathleen Albrecht
to serve as vice president
as current vice president
Lori Goldstein said
she wanted to step back due
to time constraints.
recent competitions: Inferno
Dance Competition:
Bailar - 1st place Jazz;
I Try (Amy Boyle) - 1st
place Solo; Never Be Like
You - 1st Place Trio, age
16; Heart of Glass - 1st
Place Duo, age 17; Old
Friends - 1st Place Large
Group; Beach Day - 1st
Place Production; Lean
on Me - 1st Place Small
Group, Grand Champion
1st Place. Spotlight Dance
Cup: We Got the Beat -
Category Winner (jazz,
small group, age 11);
Breathe - Category Winner
(lyrical, small group,
age 13); Heart of Glass -
1st Overall, duo/trio; I Try
- 1st Overall, solo; Dress
Rehearsal - 1st Overall,
Large Group; Lean on Me
- 1st Overall, Small Group.
For more information on
SNAP’s dance, music and
vocal instruction, visit studionorthacademyoftheperformingarts.com.