Sagewood program reaches to all students
By Joan Gandy
CCN Online
Eighth graders from all the school's cliques are combined in the Where Everybody Belongs or WEB leadership program. The diverse group, which grew to 90 students in the 2006-07 school year, is responsible for helping sixth and seventh graders transition from elementary to middle school.
"I wanted to help out the seventh graders and show them around the school," said Katie Pearson, a WEB leader. "It's hard to find your way around the school, so they worry probably less with us there."
WEB is a national program aimed at encouraging students to help other students succeed. WEB leaders serve as positive role models, motivators, leaders and teachers for their peers, according to the WEB Web site www.boomerangproject.com.
The program starts with fun-filled orientation days, one in the fall for incoming seventh grader and one in the spring for sixth graders.
Throughout the year, WEB leaders visit seventh-grade classrooms leading follow-up discussions about goal setting, success in eighth grade and other topics.
"I like to help kids out a lot," said Alexis Razner, a WEB leader. "I thought it would be fun. I wanted to experience it."
On the first day of school, Aug. 14, the WEB leaders welcomed the seventh graders to Sagewood, while the other eighth graders enjoyed their last day of summer vacation.
After cheering the new middle schoolers into the building, the WEB leaders began games they learned a week earlier to encourage school spirit and make new friends.
The students played the duck game, where a paper duck facilitates remembering names. The balloon bounce, where students holding hands in a circle try to keep a balloon from hitting the ground, was also popular.
"That was fun," said Chris Siker, a WEB leader. "They were going crazy."
Also included in the first-day-of-school duties was helping seventh graders navigate the building.
"If someone came up to us and asked for help, we'd help and point them in the right direction," said Auriel Mace, a WEB leader.
Siker, as a seventh grader, attended the WEB orientation day a year earlier.
"I don't think anyone in my class knew anybody else," Siker said. "I think the tour was the best. It helped me by building my confidence a little bit. I was like, what do I do."
Sagewood seventh graders must apply to become WEB leaders in eighth grade. The students fill out applications proving their academic stability and get teacher recommendations.
"We had hundreds of applications," Swanson said. 'We've never had this many WEB leaders. I think it's looked at something that's cool or fun."
Since space in the group is limited, the decision often comes down to what teachers have to say.
"Teacher recommendations are big because of their knowledge of that student and what they're capable of," Swanson said.
The job of WEB leaders continues long after the first day of school.
"It's not supposed to be a one-day thing," Swanson said. "The WEB leaders are supposed to help if someone is looking dazed and confused at any time."
These selected eighth graders join with the seventh graders once a month to assist on the middle school journey. Around Christmas the WEB leaders will talk about gifts in life. After the New Year, the WEB leaders will discuss preparing for eighth grade.
The WEB leaders will receive additional training before stepping into that new role.
"Some of the WEB leaders are not real outgoing but they had to get out of their comfort zone to be leaders," Swanson said.
The program not only benefits the younger students, who make new friends and learn the middle school ropes. It also builds the confidence of eighth grade Web leaders and breaks down some clique walls.
"They have to mix with kids they didn't typically mix with," Swanson said. "They learn these people may look different, but I can hang out with them."
In addition to the ethics lessons, the students who lead the tours pick up some practical tips for guiding a group.
"They had to learn to speak very clearly and loudly," Swanson said.
"And walk backwards," Siker added.
Contact Joan Gandy at jgandy@ccnewspapers.com