Books, movies and television shows about middle school depict it as an intimidating time for adolescents. Students have a new building to navigate and new people to meet, plus the common pangs of growing up, and as a result, students and parents often fear the change. This academic year, Mt. Lebanon School District is introducing a transition program to Jefferson and Mellon Middle schools with the goal of making sure that new sixth graders “feel comfortable [and] connected throughout the school year,” explained Joe Sciullo, assistant superintendent for elementary education.

WEB — an acronym for Where Everyone Belongs — is a companion to the high school’s Link Crew orientation from the same developer, the Boomerang Project. Approximately 50 eighth graders from each middle school are the first generation of WEB leaders, who guide new sixth graders through the year, which began with introductory phone calls over the summer and WEB Day in mid-August.

On WEB Day, students at each respective middle school will start as a big group in the gym to celebrate before participating in activities to get them up and moving. Then, they split into small groups with their WEB leaders for introductions and team-building exercises. New students tour the school with eighth-grade leaders, who will explain in student terms the shortcuts, how often to go to their locker or which stairwell is the best.

Sciullo hopes that the WEB program will bring the benefits of the high school’s Link Crew to younger students.

“We have seen [such] great success with our Link Crew that it was important that we replicate as much as we could,” Sciullo said. “So, when we found out [Boomerang Project] had a companion program, we jumped right on board.”

The Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education (MLFE) awarded a grant to partially fund the program.

“MLFE is the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education, and it is essentially a non-profit that raises funds to support teacher projects, usually based on innovation,” Sciullo said. “They do that primarily through scholarships twice a year.”

MLFE receives community support, through donations and purchases to the MLFE store, which offers products such as Lebo-themed notecards, shirts or blankets. Sometimes, the foundation also seeks new volunteer board members.

The state’s Ready to Learn grants funded the remainder of the WEB cost.  Most of the money went to training staff WEB coordinators, so if those coordinators stay in place, future program expenses will be reduced to covering necessary materials for activities. Brandi Smith, director of communications for the school district, emphasized the longevity of the program.

“It’s not something that’s just a one-year thing, like, we bought an item for our classroom,” Smith said. “This is something that’s going to leave a lasting impression on the district.”

Dani Molter, a sixth-grade math teacher at Mellon Middle School and a WEB coordinator, anticipates the program will have a big impact on new students.

“This program is designed to increase their sense of belonging and increase peer relationships. WEB is also designed to help reduce anxiety,” Molter explained. “We want to make sure the sixth graders maintain their connections to their WEB leaders throughout the year.”

WEB activities are designed to foster different capabilities.

“There are classroom lessons on relationship building, executive functioning skills, climate and culture of the building that take place during homeroom or team time,” Sciullo explained.

Sciullo anticipates benefits for the new sixth graders but also recognizes growth opportunities for the eighth-grade WEB leaders.

“There’s many different forms of leadership, and this program allows student leaders to be overseeing groups of four, five kids under a pretty solid framework to start to figure out what kind of leader they are as they enter into high school,” Sciullo said.

Molter believes the responsibilities of being a WEB leader will help students grow.

“I think this is going to be an amazing opportunity for the eighth graders,” Molter said. “They will have to plan, organize and assist with creating a smooth transition for the sixth graders. The eighth graders will develop their communication skills and reflection skills.”

The introduction of this program aligns well with the district’s strategic plan, according to Smith.

“A big theme that I think came out of focus groups that we did with the community, within staff and even within students during the strategic planning process was about building leadership within students and finding ways to lead,” Smith said.

Mt. Lebanon School District’s seven-year plan specifically references intent to provide cross-grade and cross-school opportunities to develop student leadership.

“So, this is a direct goal,” Smith said. “Interestingly, we said we would do that in years three to five, but I guess we’re starting in year two.”

Acknowledging that the transition to middle school can be scary for kids and parents, Sciullo wants new middle schoolers to embrace the moment.

“Take advantage of this opportunity to meet your new friends. Get to know older students as peers, not, you know, the seniors in the building, the leaders of the building, and I’m the new guy in the building,” Sciullo said. “And really, just take the opportunity to meet new people, build positive relationships and know that all the business of school will be fine.”