The school had their open house yesterday, so we lugged the two younger daughter’s loot (aka supply list) over, because there’s no way they could have carried it on the bus.  DD#3 was as happy as could be and just wanted to sit in her classroom for the evening and pretend that school had already started.  The school is a conglomeration of buildings (not portables), and she gets to move up to the second building.

DD#2 said she wasn’t ready for school to start, but of all of them, I think she’s the one who is most ready to use her mind in a constructive way again.  They’ve changed the way they’re teaching the middle school, and now there will be four teachers (two are the ones she had last year for fifth grade) so that each teacher can focus on their specialties – as is the law in Texas for the public school system, one has to teach to the TAKS test.  I think this is good, though one of her teachers is questionable in my book.  But, we’ll see how it goes!  Sixth grade is one of the big milestones for the TAKS test, so she must do well (not that I have doubts, she did excellent last year on the tests).

DD#1 just wanted to hug everyone – students, previous teachers, new teachers.  Teacher’s pet?!  She’s ready for her mind to be challenged, too, and is a quality student as well.  She’ll complain a bit, but she’s pretty darned smart (commendable on 3 of 4 of her eighth grade TAKS tests and one question away from commendable on the fourth one), so we don’t worry too much about her academics.  But, she is moving up to the high school, so her social life will probably get more involved as she participates in some of those upper grade activities. 

DD#1 was measured for her cheer squad outfit, too – can I just say ADORABLE?  Imagine 20+ little first, second & third-graders, getting out on the football field during halftime and doing a routine!  Although I’m not athletic now, I was a cheerleader in Jr. High … and I (secretly) can’t wait to see these little ones having fun and cheering on our school at the football games!