1. BLAST
Building Leaders
and Stars for
Today and
Tomorrow

2. If even one person in a school
knows him well enough to care, a
student's chances of success go up
dramatically. In small groups that
can focus on a range of
subjects, teachers and students are
forming new bonds and setting new
standards for a personal education.

3. What is Middle School Advisory?
“Broadly defined, advisory programs are
configurations in which an adult advisor meets
regularly during the school day with a group of
students to provide academic and social-
emotional mentorship and support, to create
personalization within the school, and to
facilitate a small peer community of learners”
(Cushman, 1990; Galassi et al., 2004; Galassi
et al., 1997; Juvonen et al., 2004; National
Association of Secondary School
Principals, 2006; Stevenson, 1998).

4. What’s Has Advisory Done
for the Students of
Rockingham Middle School?
At Rockingham Middle School, advisory
has been the primary vehicle for creating
a more personalized learning
environment where all students are well
known by at least one
adult. Moreover, advisory has provided
Rockingham Middle School a structure
and a set of practices for monitoring and
supporting students’ academic progress
and college and career readiness as they
prepare for their high school career.

5. Blast Goals
1) Build respectful relationships
2) Provide and adult advocate for every
student
3) Support 21st century learners
4) Improve academic achievement to
prepare for college and career
readiness
5) Create a sense of ownership for our
school

6. BLAST Schedule
Each day, beginning at 1:20, all students
of Rockingham Middle School
participate in BLAST.
Monday – Character Education
Tuesday – 6th Athletic Intramurals, 7th
Discovery, 8th Academic Intramurals
Wednesday – 6th Academic Intramurals, 7th
Athletic Intramurals, 8th Discovery Day
Thursday – 6th Discovery Day, 7th Academic
Intramurals, 8th Athletic Intramurals
Friday – Drop Everything and Read

7. Topic/Activities Include:
Respect
Self-Esteem
Bullying
Drug Awareness
Conflict Resolution
Positive Friendship
UNO
Topple
Checkers
Paper Football

8. IN CONCLUSION
Through the Schools to Watch
Initiative, Rockingham Middle School is striving
for EXCELLENCE. The implementation of the
Advisory Program (BLAST) has academically
challenged our students and ensured that our
school is developmentally responsive and
sensitive to the unique developmental
challenges of early adolescence. Rockingham
Middle School continues to be socially
equitable, democratic and fair; providing every
student with high-quality
teachers, resources, and supports.

9. References