More than 220 incoming Wallace Middle School 6th-graders got an early, close-up look at their new campus in the Rangers’ annual WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) program, hosted by forty 8th-grade Wallace WEB leaders. Seen in one of the small break out sessions are (left to right) Wallace 6th-grader Willow Filstrup, WEB leaders Aaron De La Rosa and Daisy Carrizales, and 6th-grader Diego Gutierrez. (Photo by Jim Cullen)
by JIM CULLEN
In what has become a cherished annual tradition at Wallace Middle School, the Rangers’ “Where Everyone Belongs” (WEB) program readied most of its incoming 6th-graders last week for this week’s start of school. Largely handled by 40 8th-grade WEB leaders, the program annually strives to provide a warm welcome to its new students, quickly get them familiar with the campus, and overcome their natural concerns about moving out of their comfortable—but outgrown – elementary settings.
For the past several years, Ranger teacher Christy Henry has shared coordination of the WEB program with WMS art teacher Adrienne Simes. Henry is quick to assess her partner’s real contribution, noting, “It wouldn’t happen without her enthusiasm!” It’s a trait well-known to all who work with the hard-driving artist.
If enthusiasm is what it was about, this year’s WEB program was the latest in a long line of successful such events. At the point one interested observer entered the scene midway in the morning, WEB leaders were dispersed throughout the building with small groups of 6th-graders, cheerfully engaging them in games and one-on-one conversations – counseling, really – on what a day at the campus really looks like.
Not surprisingly, the reaction from the 6th-grade audiences was equally enthusiastic as the younger students quickly realized there was nothing intimidating about their new, though larger, schoolmates. On the contrary, each and every one of those 8th-grade Rangers was individually demonstrating their sincere capacity for including the younger students in everything “Wallace.”
As with the similar Camp Cougar at Chapa Middle School, Henry says she believes the greatest benefits coming out of WEB are “the confidence boost it provides to our newest 6th-graders and the leadership that blossoms from our newest 8th-grade WEB leaders. The dynamic of students leading students is an incredible springboard for success.”
Those 40 WEB leaders were nominated by their 7th-grade teachers this past spring and as Wallace – like all Hays CISD campuses – is culturally diverse, the program is designed to offer an accurate representation of that diversity. “It gives our 6th-graders a chance to see that leadership doesn’t come with one generic face,” Henry attests.
Pleased with the turnout of 220 of the projected 300 6th-graders who’ll be at Wallace this year, Henry says each year she’s involved with the WEB program she sees a new facet of its benefits. Commenting on last Thursday night’s parental orientation, she says she was reminded of how proud 6th-graders are to be able to show their parents around their new school. “I think this puts the parents a bit more at ease to know the campus is already familiar to their child,” Henry adds.
Finally, the Ranger teacher relates overhearing one of the 8th-grade WEB leaders talking to the parent of a 6th-grader in a mature and welcoming exchange. “I can’t help but smile when I hear how pleased an 8th-grade leader is about welcoming a new class of students into our school. That’s all I need to see and hear to keep WEB going at Wallace year after year!”
