The other night, our district high school put on an informative evening for the 5th & 6th grade students and their parents. We were invited to come over to the school, have dinner, and get a chance to walk around the campus and visit some of the classrooms. Since Temera will be starting high school in August, and didn’t have this kind of opportunity when she was still in elementary school, we thought it would be the perfect time to see what she was getting into.
When I was in high school back in Connecticut, we were housed in one large, indoor building. We had a 3-story building with 4 halls surrounding an outdoor quad. We could hang out in the quad in good weather and between classes, but for the most part, we were stuck inside. We were only allowed to leave the building when the end of the day bell rang. (Of course, those of us who had friends with cars managed to sneak out during lunch and head to the bagel shop.) Other than that, it was a pretty simplistic high school experience. My kids will experience something else all together.
Our local high school is big. Much bigger than my little Connecticut school. The campus is sprawling with many different buildings and a separate auditorium (and soon to be amazing, state of the art theater). They have an award-winning sports program, and a national championship dance team. They have video production facilities that rival some of the studios. There are 5 different choirs and a fabulous theater department. One former student is currently on Broadway, playing Elphaba in Wicked. How cool is that?
But… but… but… it’s HIGH SCHOOL! In only 7 months my firstborn will be a high school student. It’s making me a little dizzy. I’m so excited for her, and at the same time I just want to slow down time a teeny tiny bit. I envy her all the opportunities that are ahead of her. Her life is just starting and I want it all to be perfect. Not realistic, I know, but I want her to have fun and learn a lot and realize her dreams and make a difference.
So… high school. It will open up new worlds. Amanda (the 11 year old) was enamored with the physics lab. She’s always been interested in science, but to see my little girl excited about physics was all kinds of awesome! And there is yearbook and tennis and foreign languages and journalism and art club and equestrian club and astronomy. I’m tired just thinking of it all. So exciting. So… high school.
As Temera starts high school, Amanda will start junior high. I’ll have 3 kids in 3 different schools for the next 2 years. I’ve got to say, that thought doesn’t excite me. Dealing with 2 schools right now is hard enough… but 3? I have a feeling our entire life is going to be turned upside down.
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