Advisory changes made to help students to succeed

In an effort to help improve grades and help keep students from skipping, changes have been made to freshman and sophomore advisories.
Administrators say this year’s changes to advisory, including no advisory on Friday mornings, videos and not being able to leave the class are hopefully going to improve student success.
“The reasons for the changes are to help get the at risk students the help they need for grades,” Vice Principal Synthia Kirby said. “We want to figure out the ones that are struggling in certain classes, and get them to an advisory to get them that help they need.”
These changes will also keep students from getting passes from teachers and then never going to the class.
“Last year during advisory we would have students skipping class by just giving us a pass and roaming the halls,” coach LaKeith Grant said. “This will hold kids accountable for their actions.”
The changes have been met with mixed reactions.
“I don’t think the morning announcements are important really for the sophomore advisories,” marketing teacher Chris Marvel-Loskot said. “But, for the freshmen it is absolutely great.”
For all the positives, many students who benefited from advisory last year aren’t happy with the current system.
“The whole point was for homework help and for us to make up tests,” sophomore Marissa Thomas said. “It’s hard for us to make up tests for teachers that are coaches because they have practice after school.”
Sophomore Maci Baker was worried about volleyball when she heard the changes.
“My first thought was ‘hmm that’s going to be hard with volleyball’,” Baker said. “Volleyball makes it hard to make up tests.”
Thomas hopes there are changes coming to advisory.
“It’s okay this year,” she said “But I liked last year way better.”

Kirby Joins Administrative Staff

One of the many administrative changes this year includes new assistant principal is Synthia Kirby.

Kirby grew up in Durant, Oklahoma and now lives in Henrietta, Texas.

In college, she got an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Health and Physical Education. She earned her graduate degree in Counseling and Educational Leadership.

“I attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University for my undergraduate,” Kirby said. “I went to Midwestern State University for my graduate.”

Before making the move to Rider, Kirby was a counselor at Old High. A year and a half ago, she decided to complete Educational Leadership.

“So far, the transition [from Old High] has been easy,” Kirby said. “The students, staff, and parents at Rider have been very welcoming. The students, staff, and parents from Old High are proud that I received a promotion.”

She has already made herself a common face in the classrooms and halls of Rider.

“I love being in the classroom seeing students learn,” Kirby said. “Being in the halls is a pro-active measure and it gives me the opportunity to be amongst students.”

Kirby has a young student of her own as well.

“I have a five year old son,” Kirby said. “I also have three stepsons and two granddaughters.”