New Beginnings

Thursday night I took Paige to freshman orientation at Columbus High School. The school seemed awfully big and crowded. I think she is a little nervous because she doesn't have many people she knows in her classes, but she vowed to remain positive. (One of her new traits that I love.) Columbus High School has been around for over 100 years and is very established and well-known here. The building is really old, but I think the school is going to be a very good school. It's a liberal arts magnet school, and they expect a lot out of the kids. She had to take a test to get in and has to keep her grades up to stay in. They have to give 20 hours of community service every year and they teach them manners, ettiquete (sp?), and how to act in social situations. It is definitely a southern school. We're hoping Paige can teach the rest of us how to act properly in public. She'll have to be getting up pretty early to attend Seminary before school every day. I really like the lady that will be teaching her, so hopefully she'll enjoy it.McKell is starting 6th grade at Veteran's Memorial Middle School. She had ranger camp last week where they let the sixth graders come and meet each other for the day. She's pretty excited to go and doesn't seem too nervous about the change. It helps having an older sister to tell you all the ropes about the school. Her school won't start until 9:00 a.m. and she gets out at 4:00. She will probably love the later start time, until she realizes it's 4:30 before she gets home off the bus.
We just found out this last week that Sydney and Jackson got into Britt David Elementary, which is also a magnet school here. We have been on the waiting list for awhile, so we were excited. At first Sydney did not want to change schools (simply because she hates change), but once we met her new teacher she was all over the idea. They will have to wear uniforms, so I'm anxious to see if that will be easier or harder when it comes to having Jackson get dressed in the morning. Their school is a computer magnet school, which means they emphasize technology. Sydney is suppposed to be learning keyboarding in kindergarten. Pretty crazy!!