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Glenwood eighth-graders help fifth-graders adjust
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Boardman-Glenwood Middle School W.E.B. Coordinator, Jenn Dravecky, addressed an enthusiastic audience full of incoming fifth-grade students and their eighth-grade mentors during the school’s orientation Aug. 24.
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Incoming fifth-grade students were excited to meet with their W.E.B. leaders during their orientation at Boardman-Glenwood Middle School Aug. 24.
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Boardman Glenwood Middle School teachers, Erin Navarro (left), Kristina Tokash, Holly Gozer, Lisa Glozer, and Jeana Stevens were excited to meet incoming fifth-grade students during the school’s orientation Aug. 24.
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Allie Carnahan (left), Joseph Naples, Chole Zeak, Hunter Conkey, Raegan Lytle, Zoe Richendollar,.Leah Blakeman and Mark Smaldino were excited to meet for the first time and prepare for the upcoming year during Boardman Glenwood fifth-grade orientation Aug. 24.
By EARTHA TERRELL
Fifth-grade students will be much less nervous and more confident about beginning middle school after participating in the “Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) orientation at Boardman Glenwood Middle School Aug. 24.
“The concept of it is to create a smooth transition into middle school from elementary. They break out into their individual WEB groups with two eighth-grade leaders that they will have all year. They do team-building activities and talk about strategy skills to succeed in the fifth grade. This is our third year doing it and we have less tears when they come to school and on that first day they already feel like they’re part of the school,” said WEB coordinator Jenn Dravecky.
Some fifth-grade students began the orientation timid and quiet but by the end were filling the gymnasium with screams and laughter. Students got a first-hand tour of the building, played games and became much more acclimated to the transition of being in a new building.
“It’s a good activity day for kids to feel welcomed into the building. When they got here this morning everyone was timid and it helped when they met everyone and their WEB leaders,” said seventh-grade teacher Jeana Stevens.
WEB leaders will meet with students once a month throughout the year to track fifth-graders’ progress. Some leaders were just as excited about the academic year as the fifth-graders.
“It was good to actually show them around the building so they won’t be scared as much and it takes the load off. I think they seem like bright and smart kids and I hope they have a good year,” said WEB leader Mark Smaldino.