Click on the above image for more photos from WEB orientation.

September 4, 2024 — Grandview Middle School is a school where everybody belongs. Led by a group of the school’s seventh grade students, WEB, "Where Everybody Belongs," is a middle school orientation and transition program that welcomes new middle school students to Grandview and makes them feel comfortable throughout the first year of their middle school experience.

The program trains seventh graders to be WEB leaders. As positive role models, WEB leaders are mentors and student leaders who help new students learn what it takes to be successful during middle school.

More and more studies show that if students have a positive experience their first year in middle school, their chances for success increase dramatically. WEB provides the structure and support to help new students transition to middle school successfully, explained Principal Christy Zachow.

Incoming fifth graders and any other students new to Grandview were invited to attend a WEB orientation on August 28, where large group activities led by fifth-grade teacher Travis Swendseid and vocal music teacher Freya Klein encouraged students to embrace the middle school years and celebrate their school. Students also broke apart into small groups where they learned tips from their experienced seventh-grade leaders as well as played games to get to know one another. The activities helped relieve the anxiety of the first day and set a positive tone for the year.

“The goal of the program is to help make the transition to middle school as easy as possible,” said Zachow, who explained that while most schools use eighth graders in this role, Westonka’s unique configuration puts seventh graders in the position. “This is incredibly challenging for a 12-year-old, but year after year they step up and do an amazing job supporting our fifth graders and getting them ready for school.” 

WEB leaders will be used for other activities during the year to help fifth graders adapt to middle school life.