By Special to the Town Crier

Six and seventh grade students new to Cupertino Middle School (CMS) this fall received enthusiastic greetings from approximately 40 eighth grade Welcome Everybody (WEB) leaders during new student orientation held a week before the start of classes.

The WEB orientation program is intended to make middle school students feel comfortable with their new environment.

The incoming students participate in a variety of activities including games to help them place names with the new faces they will see on the first day of school, small group discussions intended to help them be successful at CMS and school tours.

All activities are lead by the WEB students. The sixth and seventh graders also receive their back-to-school packets and class schedules.

The WEB program was developed by teachers at CMS.

The WEB leaders were nominated for the program by their teachers. Selections were based on demonstrated academic success and leadership.

Program participants attended two days of leadership training prior to the start of student orientation. They called each incoming student to personally invite them to orientation, made costumes for group activities and above all demonstrated a positive attitude and peppy demeanor when the new students arrived at school.

CMS serves the communities of Cupertino, Los Altos and Sunnyvale. Last fall the student population totaled 937 students. This fall enrollment is projected to be more than 1,000 students. School resumed on Aug. 23.

For more information, contact Cupertino Middle School at (408)245-0303. Cupertino Middle School is located at 1650 S. Bernardo Ave., Sunnyvale.