A Manheim Township Education Foundation (MTEF) grant request written by Manheim Township Middle School (MTMS) teachers Renee Engle and Alyx Brehman asked for funds for a program to help seventh-graders better assimilate into MTMS. In part, the grant said, "Many seventh-graders are fearful of not having friends, stressed (by moving to) a new building and not knowing anyone, and afraid of being bullied for being different." WEB Student Leadership provides seventh-grade students with eighth-grade mentors who are there to give "advice, encouragement, and even a simple high five."
WEB, which stands for "Where Everybody Belongs," is a nationwide initiative started by the Boomerang Project. Currently, the program is being implemented in more than 2,000 schools in 44 states, including Conestoga Valley and Pequea Valley in Lancaster County. MTEF supplied $1,000 toward the program costs.
The WEB program at MTMS began a year ago when teachers, including Engle and Brehman, who were chosen for traits of personality and energy, were sent for training and certification. In the spring of 2019, WEB student leader guidelines were presented to then-seventh-grade students, who had to apply and interview for mentor positions. "The most important qualification they needed to possess was kindness," said Engle.
Nearly 90 leaders, a mix of boys and girls, were chosen, and training began in May. In August, two more days of training were held, and the eighth-grade mentors led orientation for the incoming seventh-grade students.
Throughout the year, eighth-graders also lead social events and teach classes, which could include sportsmanship, stress and anger management, cooperation, and study skills. Mentors can use the opportunity to enhance leadership skills and see the positive impact they can make on the future of the students and the school.
For seventh-graders, the orientation and transition program welcomes them to the school with the goal of helping them to feel safe and secure in the new environment. One goal of the program is to help them understand they are part of a school community that cares about them and their success. This is accomplished in part through connection in small groups with eighth-grade leaders. "WEB leaders help students find clubs and other ways to connect with peers during an (important) time of transition," said Tammi Fahrney, assistant director with MTEF.
The WEB program's arrival at MTMS was based on input from district staff, parents, and community members who identified the problems seventh-graders tend to encounter during their transition to middle school. "Recognizing the need was part of the district's comprehensive plan," said Fahrney. "WEB is a structured orientation and transition program put in place to help students succeed."
Manheim Township School District administrators recognized that a structured plan like WEB could ease the move to middle school for incoming students. Project Boomerang has tracked results of the program where it was implemented and recorded increases in academic performance and school attendance and decreases in disciplinary referrals.
Individuals or organizations in the community may donate funds for the WEB program by contacting MTEF at 717-735-1751 or administrator@mtef.net. Readers who would like to know more about MTEF may visit http://mtef.net.
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