Story and Photos by Lisa Carolin
Beach Middle School was alive with the sound of students Tuesday, Sept.1, when sixth-graders participated in an orientation at the school.
Nine-seven percent of the incoming sixth-grade class was present under the leadership of 46 soon-to-be eighth-graders, who serve as WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) leaders.
“The WEB leaders are a diverse group of students chosen to represent all different personality types of sixth-graders” said Sarah Bentley, one of Beach’s WEB coordinators.
Two WEB leaders were assigned to groups of eight sixth-grade students and will work with them throughout their first year at Beach.
“This is an important transition year for the incoming sixth-graders,” said Brian Boos, a WEB coordinator at Beach. “Sarah Bentley, Mike Lott and I facilitate the orientation in a way that allows the eighth-grade WEB leaders to be the ambassadors of Beach Middle School.”
Boos ran a two-hour assembly to welcome the students, and then WEB leaders ran small group activities in the classrooms.
“The goal of the small groups is to build relationships, and the activities focus on learning each other’s names, playing fun team building games, learning strategies to be successful at Beach, and a fun-themed school tour,” said Boos.
Ellie Mahalek and Riley McGuffin are two of the WEB leaders.
“I like helping the kids transition,” said Mahalek.
“I was in the kids’ position once, and I really want to help them not be so nervous,” said McGuffin.
Incoming sixth-grader Xander Willis said that the orientation helped him learn where to go in the school.
“Our WEB leaders are really helpful about a lot,” said Cole Munson, also an incoming sixth-grader.
Beach Principal Nick Angel was on hand to welcome the students.
“Often times students are nervous to come to a new building with new staff, and we place an emphasis on ensuring a fantastic transition experience for our sixth-graders,” said Angel. “Students will leave having mastered their lockers, feel like experts in the location of their classes, met some amazing new friends, and had some fun too.”
Boos led the closing ceremony in the gymnasium with a simple demonstration using a chair of how much easier it is to pull a person down than it is to pull someone up.
“It’s a student’s choice to step up and be the person you want to be and surround yourself with positive influences,” said Boos.
