POULSBO — April 10 was a day administrators, teachers and students had been waiting for at the North Kitsap School District. It marked the first time advisory courses were unveiled at North Kitsap High School.

Advisory sessions will take place once a week for 30 minutes between first and second period. Every student at NKHS is enrolled in the course with anywhere between 17-19 students in each.

The goal of the program is to connect faculty members and students on a higher level than most teacher/student relationships. Students will have the same instructor for the advisory session throughout their high school career.

“It will help children get connected with something outside of themselves,” said NKHS principal Kathy Prasch. “The more students know teachers, the more likely they’re to perform better in school. Being connected is so important for all teenagers.”

In many cases, teachers are role models students look up to each day.

“Students who have adult mentors are better off,” Prasch said. “The more students get to know instructors the better it is. Teachers can make a difference in their lives.”

Prasch said she liked what she saw during the first day of advisories on April 10. She visited 20 classrooms throughout the day.

“It was phenomenal. The teachers and students were very engaging,” she said. “Many of the teachers had students put their desks into a circle so everyone was facing each other. Watching the whole classroom interact with one another was great.”

Changing the culture of the school in a positive way is a goal Prasch wants the high school to achieve collectively.

“We want to create a culture of excellence at North Kitsap,” she said. “This advisory program will help kids get connected to school.”

Senior Nick Stephens said he believes advisory courses are helping seniors tie up their loose ends before they don their caps and gowns at graduation.

“It helps students get ready for what we need to do. It’s a good deal for everyone involved,” Stephens said. “It’s really helping all of the seniors get ready for graduation.”

NKHS chemistry and biology teacher Suzie Piper is a huge proponent of the new advisory classes.

“I think it’s going to help communication between teachers and students and students and students,” Piper said. “The classes are so small that everyone is face to face. It will allow each person in the classroom a chance to get to know each other pretty closely.”