FORT COLLINS- With the start of a new school year comes a new group of WEB Leaders. This brings new opportunities to a new group of students at Webber Middle School. The WEB Leaders are 8th graders who make Webber a fun and welcoming space for all; they also help all 6th graders transition from elementary school to middle school. WEB stands for “Where Everyone Belongs,” and it is a nationwide program that is important to all middle schools.
The WEB Leaders work together in committees such as joy, spirit, outreach, pep rallies, and more. Every day in 7th period, they meet in Mrs. O’Connor’s or Mr. Jankow’s room and work on different things, such as stocking the student store, putting club and sports stickers on student lockers, planning spirit days and pep rallies, cutting Panther Bucks, and teaching lessons to 6th graders about organization and study skills. The program is especially important to the transition of 6th graders, because the WEB Leaders help and support the 6th graders through the world of middle school, which is a wild world with many twists and turns. WEB Leaders do so much, and it’s our job to be grateful for them and all they do.
The program is also important to the WEB Leaders themselves, because they learn to be really organized, how to lead, and in some cases, teach, as well. They get to connect with each other and with the 6th graders they teach. Also to some, the role of a leader is important to them. Many of the WEB Leaders enjoy learning to be Leaders and having 6th graders who look up to them. One WEB Leader named Nadia shared her experience.
“I think because of 6th grade coming in, it is a really big change and I think it’s really important for people to guide you and help you.”
Mrs. O’Connor and Mr. Jankow lead the WEB program at Webber. Mr. Jankow explained his favorite part of working with this program.
“My favorite part of WEB is working with the WEB Leaders. They are kind, responsible, creative, and fun. Working with such a dynamic group of students is a great way to end my teaching day every day.”
Mrs. O’Connor also shared her favorite part of the program.
“My favorite part of WEB is the activities we get to do, like the orientation days.”
As WEB Leaders, they have many jobs, and it really matters what committee they are in.
Nadia shared her favorite part of being a WEB leader.
“Being more involved in the school and being in that leadership position is fun. Also, the connections you have with the 6th graders are very special.”
These are the favorites of the two teachers. They run WEB very well, but it can be hard. One of the least favorite part of teaching WEB is, “how crazy it can get. With four committees all doing different tasks, running the student store on Wednesdays, and managing all of the events that pop up constantly, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed sometimes.”
WEB Leaders are so important to our school, and we must be grateful for them and all they do. If you are in 6th grade they will and are helping you in so many ways, because it is their job to help you navigate the world that is middle school. And they do so much that we didn’t really know or appreciate, like putting stickers on your locker, planning spirit days and so much more.
So WEB Leaders, thank you for doing so much and having kindness in every step!
