WCI's WEB and Pride Programs

Programs funded by your donations to WCEF

To say that middle school represents a period of transition is probably an understatement. For many children, leaving the comfort of elementary school is a frightening prospect. Adapting to a larger campus, changing classrooms and teachers and meeting new kids can be overwhelming. Moreover, the middle school years present unique challenges as students enter adolescence and face a variety of social and academic pressures.

But thanks to two successful programs at Walnut Creek Intermediate - the WEB transition program and SQUIRE PRIDE Days - students embrace middle school with a greater sense of enthusiasm, confidence and support. Given their value, WCEF began funding both ventures three years ago. "We are really thankful that WCEF is committed to this," says Vice Principal Kevin Honey. "It gives us the opportunity to run these programs at 100 percent.

WEB (an acronym for Where Everybody Belongs) is a national program that provides an ongoing support system for new students. Its philosophy is simple but far-reaching: if children feel welcome, comfortable and connected, they will perform better in school and have fewer disciplinary problems. The program features a special WEB Day orientation held in late summer and special activities during the year.

A primary reason for WEB's success is its strategy of empowering students to help students. Each spring, 90 seventh graders are selected to serve as WEB leaders the following year. They will become mentors, motivators and friends as the year progresses. After six hours of training, leaders are thoughtfully matched with small groups of new students on WEB Day. Together, the groups take campus tours, visit their classrooms, enjoy a BBQ lunch and engage in social activities that help ease their anxiety.

WEB Coordinator (and PE teacher) Steve Miller is elated that 95% of incoming sixth graders attend WEB Day every year. "The most beneficial thing about WEB is that it clears up anxious feelings about starting middle school and gives new students a chance to familiarize themselves with WCI."

And, according to one sixth grader, WEB Day is just plain fun. "It was fun to see all my friends, plus the WEB leaders I knew. I really like WEB leaders - they're fun to have with us." But the WEB program does much more. Student leaders represent a cross-section of the school population, with different social groups brought together for a common purpose. This helps create a positive culture on campus and reinforces cooperation and respect. And by becoming role models for younger students, leaders learn about responsibility and feel empowered to make a difference.

"It's a great opportunity for both us and the sixth graders to learn and have fun together while reinforcing the six pillars of character," explains one WEB leader. Those pillars, which are part of the Character Counts model used throughout the district, are Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.

WEB leaders have a special opportunity to demonstrate their leadership skills on SQUIRE PRIDE Days. Five times a year, guest speakers address the student body on a variety of topical issues, such as internet safety, drug/alcohol use and dealing with adversity. "When you look up in the bleachers, you see the kids really in tune. They can become completely engaged in the speaker's message," says Miller.

After the assembly, students return to their classrooms to share their experiences and do interactive projects. Sixth graders spend PRIDE Day with their WEB leaders, who have been trained to assist teachers with discussion groups and character-building activities.

"The activities we do are entertaining but they also have a hidden meaning," says a WEB leader. "I think the sixth graders have fun without knowing that they're also learning."

"This peer-driven experience helps make the PRIDE program much more effective," adds Honey.

WCI is fortunate to have four teachers serve as WEB coordinators. Along with Miller, Brendon Hurd, Jana Palmquist and Tim Riordan oversee the program and train WEB leaders. The teachers underwent intensive training to become coordinators, and continue to receive instruction on the latest program changes and improvements.

WCEF is proud to sponsor both WEB and SQUIRE PRIDE Days.