Every middle school student is assigned to a Teacher Advisor (T/A) group. These small groups of students meet frequently each week during the school day with their assigned staff member who works with them on topics and activities related to social and emotional development and adjustment to school and its demands. Units may include orientation to a new school (from how to open a locker to how to find the gym), new and old friendships, study skills, character education and preparation for high school. Most importantly, the Teacher Advisor is an adult in the school who knows the student/advisee well and to whom the student can turn with a question or a problem. T/A groups give students a small group as a "home base" within the larger context of the middle school.