The Start of Something Special

Last week was the hottest week of the summer.  That can only mean one thing:  BACK TO SCHOOL!!!  YAYAYAYAYAY!!!  And what a week we had!  On Monday, Rozzie's friend Hannah went off to Utah State to play volleyball.  When we first met Hannah and her mom, Donna pointed and said, "My daughter is 4 also."  On the way home, Morgan commented that she didn't see any 4-year-olds.  That week, their family met up with us at the pool and the kids played and had a good time.  On the way home, Morgan commented, "I have never met a 4-year-old who is taller than me!"  Hannah continues to be taller than most of us.  We will miss her SO MUCH! (by the way, Rozzie is 5'6")

This combination spelled lots and lots of laughs

Off to seminary & school in Celia.  She's been a good car.

 Tuesday was the first day of school and seminary for us.  Rozzie is a senior and Maddie is a sophomore.

When I first started working at Fleming Island High School, the school was new and kids had been relocated from 4 other schools:  Clay, Orange Park, Middleburg, and Ridgeview.  All the kids complained about the school and wanted to go back to their original high school.  Thank heavens they are all gone now (although one of them is my JV coach!!) and these kids know what a great place they have in Fleming Island High School.  School spirit has just increased every year and traditions continue to grow and strengthen.  On the first day of school, no one worries about what to wear.  All the classes (except freshmen) organize and get t-shirts made.  The juniors also wear a bandanna (see it in Rozzie's car).  The seniors get Burger King crowns.  They paint and be-jewel them and wear them all day.  It is the one hat we allow kids to wear in school!!  All the kids get to school early and take pictures and pictures and pictures.  Our new principal is out in the parking lot with them taking pictures and welcoming them to their school.  Then the seniors all enter the school together through the front door and head to class.  

Rozzie and Nora - bestest friends.  These shirts have the names of everyone in the class on the back.

Many of the seniors.  The principal took this picture.  They really try to get as many of the kids to wear the shirt as possible.  

 The sophomores had the most clever t-shirt - it even impressed the seniors.  On the back, it has DJ mix bars and the phrase "Class of 1-6".  It is a really fun way to start the day.  It brings a sense of unity to the classes.

Maddie and Ciera (center) were in Kindergarten together!!

 Another tradition is the senior football, dance, and cheer picture out at the front sign.  The kids really look forward to being part of this and having their moment.

Rozzie is just to the right of the very center

We all had a good week.  It is still pretty crazy for me, just getting organized and staying on top of everything.  Once a lot of the paperwork is done, it should mellow out.  I have large classes.  My 4th period is my Sweathog class.  There are a few "rough" ones there, and it is very large.  But they seem to cooperate pretty well if I don't give them a chance to rest.  Cheer is in full swing - we have our pre-season game this coming Friday!!  Be prepared for lots of Rozzie and Maddie dance pictures!!

The movers came this past week and boxed up most of our belongings.  The house is clean and on the market!