This week's E-connection highlights 2020 Vision elements of student leadership, self-awareness, emotional/social intelligence, responsible decision-making and citizenship.

Islander Middle School is a place
“Where Everyone Belongs”

One day during the last week of September the gym at Islander Middle School was filled to capacity with noisy 6th graders on one side of the bleachers, and equally noisy 7th and 8th graders on the other. In the middle stood 6th grade teacher Deborah Shagena leading them all in a rendition of “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.” On every “B” you were supposed to stand up and then sit down, or something like that. At the end of the song there was much laughter and applause as the 6th graders went to join their 7th and 8th grade leaders in small group sessions during the second meeting of Islander’s new “Where Everyone Belongs” (WEB) program.

Harry Brown, Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) school counselor and Becky Mullvain, 8th grade teacher, are the coordinators of WEB. According to Harry, “Where Everyone Belongs” is a year-long transition program for 6th graders that is designed to reduce the initial challenges of entering middle school. This is a major event in the lives of these kids, yet we have very few strategies to create a school environment where all of the students watch out for each other.”

During the WEB assembly, an 8th grade WEB leader helped
6th graders find out which group sessions they belonged in

IMS – A No Bullying Zone!
During the recent WEB orientation, 6th graders became acquainted with 7th and 8th graders. The WEB transition
helps 6th graders feel comfortable in the middle school environment and discourages bullying

In their small group settings, the 7th and 8th graders were leading discussions about rumors and gossip and what to do about it. Later in the year they will be visiting 6th grade classes to teach structured lessons on topics such as “Study Skills,” “Asking Good Questions,” and “Lifting People Up.” It’s a lot of responsibility for the leaders, but these 7th and 8th graders are up to the task. “We were selected by our teachers to apply for the program,” said Anika, an 8th grade student. “We had 12 hours of training before school started and so far we have each called every 6th grader in our group to welcome them to Islander. Last week we called again to check up on them. We want to make sure they know we are there for them.”

And what do the 6th graders think? Julia, coming home from school during her first week, said, “I was really nervous on the first day, but my WEB leaders made me realize that people are nice here and it is really fun! The WEB assembly and orientation was a great way to start off the school year.” Another student said, “I like the way they mix the grades up so we can get to know each other. I know now that people at IMS are here to support you, not out to get you.”

It’s hard to imagine that any 6th grader would feel that their fellow students would be “out to get them,” but that, unfortunately, is the fear of many young students making the transition to middle school all over the country. According to Harry Brown, “We can’t always intervene right away when bullying takes place, but other students can. Fortunately, we don’t see a lot of mean behavior at Islander. The WEB program will ensure that we never do.”

Check out the new MISD Employee Spotlight, a blog that highlights individual members of the Mercer Island School District staff.

For more information about current school district topics, visit the Q/A section of Dr. Plano's website.

2010-2011 E-Connections stories:

The Language of Art

Welcome back to school--on the bus!

2009-2010 E-Connection stories

2008-2009 E-Connection stories

2007-2008 E-Connection stories