W.E.B. (Where Everyone Belongs)

Dakota Hills Middle School WEB Program Overview:

The WEB acronym stands for “Where Everybody Belongs” 

The goal of the WEB program is to support and ease the transition of incoming 6th grade students as they move from their elementary schools to middle school. This is a big transition for students in many ways:

● Middle schools are much larger in enrollment and size compared to elementary schools.

● At middle school students transition to a different teacher and different classroom thru a six-class daily schedule. Elementary schedules often have students with one teacher, in one room, for much of the school day.

● Middle school staff teach one subject. Elementary teachers teach one group of students many subjects: math, science, English, and social studies

● Middle school students rely on a locker for storage of their class materials. Elementary students can use their homeroom desk as a location for all of their “stuff.”

To support and assist incoming 6th grade students in the many ways in which their lives as students will change, we identify and train a group of 8th grade students to be guides, mentors, and supportive people in the school. 8th grade WEB leaders apply and are selected by DHMS staff to represent the diversity that exists in the school and who possess a commitment to pay-it- forward by helping incoming 6th grade students. 8th grade WEB leaders receive two days of summer training leading into the start of school. Our 6th graders are brought to school one week prior to the first day of school for “WEB Day.” This is a day when WEB leaders work with 6th graders to orient them to middle school. Each WEB leader works with an assigned group of 10-12 6th graders, and help with their transition via the following activities:

● Deciphering each 6 th graders daily schedule

● A tour of the school to locate rooms and walk the sequence of classes

● Fun activities to build comfort, fun, familiarity and positive school energy

● Practice with lockers and combinations

● School spirit activities that help create a new sense of blue-and- green Dakota Hills identity

In addition to the pre-school WEB events, the 8th grade WEB leaders will continue to meet and do activities with their assigned group throughout the school year. This program has been widely praised as an important and helpful piece of our transition efforts.

This program is funded via a combination of funds from the Dakota Hills Middle School Parent Boosters Club and site funds for WEB program coordinators.