Dallas Independent School District

11/05/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/05/2026 12:09

Dallas ISD News: Dallas ISD students in Where Everyone Belongs program lead by example

Dallas ISD students in Where Everyone Belongs program lead by example

Editor's note: Spanish story included below


DALLAS - Eighth graders at select campuses across the district are stepping up as student leaders with a new mission: ensuring no sixth grader navigates the transition to middle school alone.

Through the national Where Everyone Belongs program, these students act as trusted guides, called WEB leaders, turning what is often an intimidating transition into a welcoming, supportive environment.

Malia B., a WEB leader at W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy, understands this feeling firsthand.

"I am able to give sixth graders the opportunity to have a person to talk to, which is something that was never given to me as a sixth grader," she said. "I want to make sure they become more comfortable to get to know me better."

Typically, each leader has between eight to 10 mentees, with two to three leaders per sixth-grade classroom. On designated days, WEB leaders engage in academic or social follow-ups throughout the year, giving them opportunities to present or engage on a variety of topics.

"It is an important job because it allows me to not only be a leader for sixth graders, but allows them to look up to me and want to be one as well," Malia said.

Becoming a WEB leader is an honor given to students who keep their grades up and can prove they are responsible. Leaders are also representative of varying interests so that every mentee feels they can relate to someone.

"It's really nice to see kids who may not feel comfortable in different scenarios come to their WEB leaders for help," said Sandra Diaz-Handal, teacher and WEB coordinator. "It's different when they hear advice from peers that are close to their age who have been in their spots than from adults. It's basically a big brother, little sister type of relationship."

With future plans for the program already in motion, future WEB leaders selected next summer will be the initial contact for new sixth-graders when they attend orientation. By getting to know who their WEB leader is before school starts, students will have a familiar face-someone who will ensure they feel less alone.

"Our WEB leaders are cool and they want to be like them. That's why it's so important to have good mentors, because we want them to look up to kids who are good scholars," said Diaz-Handal. "If we need something, we know that we can count on them."

Spanish story:

Estudiantes de Dallas ISD del programa de ayuda entre compañeros dan el ejemplo

DALLAS - Un grupo de estudiantes de octavo grado de algunas escuelas del distrito asumirán el rol de líder con una nueva misión: que ningún estudiante de sexto empiece la secundaria solo.

Gracias al programa Where Everyone Belongs ("Donde Todos Pertenecemos"), estos estudiantes trabajan como guías de confianza y velan por que los nuevos alumnos dispongan de un lugar acogedor para dar el paso entre primaria y secundaria muchas veces intimidante.

Malia B., de W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy, conoce el sentimiento de primera mano.

"Les doy la oportunidad de hablar con alguien, cosa que yo no tuve cuando estaba en sexto grado", dijo. "Quiero asegurarme de que se sientan a gusto conmigo conforme me van conociendo".

Típicamente, cada líder orienta entre ocho y 10 estudiantes, con dos o tres líderes por cada salón de sexto.

"Es un trabajo importante porque nos permite ser líderes para los estudiantes más jóvenes, que ellos nos admiren y quieran ser líderes también", dijo Malia.

Ser parte de este programa es un honor otorgado a los estudiantes que mantienen buenas calificaciones y se demuestran responsables. Los líderes también tienen intereses variados de modo que todos los estudiantes a los que ayudan se sienten identificados con alguien.

"Es agradable ver a los estudiantes que tal vez no se sienten cómodos en algunas situaciones acudir a sus mentores", dijo Sandra Díaz-Handal, maestra y coordinadora de Where Everyone Belongs. "Es diferente escuchar el consejo de un compañero de la misma edad que entiende su situación que escuchar a un adulto. Se portan como hermanos".

Con los planes para el futuro del programa ya en curso, los próximos líderes del programa, que serán elegidos el verano que viene, serán el contacto inicial para los estudiantes nuevos de sexto grado cuando asistan a la orientación. Al conocer a su mentor antes del inicio de clases, los estudiantes tendrán en quien confiar, alguien que se asegurará de que no se sientan solos.

"Los líderes son geniales y los estudiantes quieren ser como ellos. Por eso es importante tener un buen mentor. Queremos que admiren a los chicos que son buenos estudiantes", dijo Díaz-Handal. "Si necesitamos algo, sabemos que podemos contar con ellos".

Dallas Independent School District published this content on November 05, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 05, 2026 at 18:09 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]