Guidance Advisory Council

In the spring of each year, an email notification is sent to parents in grades 6-12 detailing the openings for each grade level.  Interested parents complete a brief questionnaire which is reviewed by the GAC leadership team. The final selection, which occurs in June, is based predominantly on maintaining a balance on the committee as a whole, as well as by grade, with parents representing:

• Both towns in the school region, Dover and Sherborn
• Both student genders
• A variety of types of students, such as students with learning challenges, students who are high performing academicians, students who are more sports-oriented, arts oriented, etc.
• A variety of involvement in community groups, school related groups, working vs. non-working, etc.

The GAC meets routinely five times per year, in September, November, January, March and May. Meetings are held Friday mornings at 8:30 a.m., generally lasting 1.5 hours in duration. There are also opportunities to work on sub-committees that are project specific.

Representatives are asked to make personal contact with newly registered families each August to welcome them into the school community and answer questions about the towns and schools. Representatives may also be asked to participate in the new family orientation program held in late August.

For confidentiality reasons the meetings are not open to the public. GAC meetings are attended by the GAC representatives from Grades 6-12, the Director of Guidance and invited guest speakers. Parents who would like to raise an issue should contact one of the GAC Representatives.

GAC meetings are held at the High School in Room 113 or the Middle School conference room.

Information from the GAC is disseminated in several ways:

• Guidance web page
• Weekly school email blasts
• Grade-specific emails sent by GAC representatives
• Telephone contact

A variety of issues are discussed at the GAC meetings including, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Guidance Department communications & calendar
• Guidance sponsored events for students/parents
• Student safety and campus climate
• Standardized Testing
• Course selection, registration and scheduling
• Graduation requirements
• Student registration and orientation programs
• Freshman transition to High School
• Peer Helper Program
• Post-secondary planning and the college planning process

Questions and comments about Guidance programs, procedures, communications and events are appropriate to be communicated to GAC representatives. Confidential issues related to an individual student are more sensitive and should be directed to the appropriate staff representatives, including teachers, school nurses, school counselors and members of the administration.