As I mentioned before I fell in love with the area, but I had major reservations about what school to send our kids to.
I went back and forth many times, but actually had my mind made up last Spring that we would send our kids to Johnston, hoping they would be enrolled in Horizon Elementary which is closest to our house. We attended the "orientation" for kindergartners and I remember feeling so small and just not right. There were so many parents and it was quite overwhelming.
Fast forward to Kindergarten Round Up in Granger. We decided to send Alena to this because even though I had my mind made up where I wanted to send her, Justin still wasn't quite sure. I immediately felt at home and comfortable in the school and even ran into a couple moms I had met previously who introduced me to other parents who live in our neighborhood. By the end of that day, I had changed my mind about where to send my little girl for school.
Many of my reservations about a small school focused on her not having the ability to be in certain activities. I was also concerned that, if my kids did excel in a sport, would they be recognized if they attended a smaller school (not that I think this will happen, but you never know!). I also wondered if my child would get as good of an education at a smaller school.
After meeting a few neighbors, (one who specifically moved out of Johnston so her kids could go to a smaller school), and discussing the pros and cons of a small school versus a larger school, I have been able to put my mind at ease.
Living in our development, we have the opportunity to send our kids to Woodward-Granger, Johnston, or Dallas Center-Grimes. Lots of options. The moms I have met have had nothing but great things to say about WG. One mom was quick to point out that she has friends who have kids in the Johnston school district. They love the school but are limited in what activities they can do because there are so many kids. She stated many kids have to pick one sport to do and stick with that, hoping to excel enough to play varsity.
I also love the fact that Alena will have 6 other kindergartners in our neighborhood to play with (there must have been a baby boom in 2009!). I imagine her riding her bike to friend's houses, sleepovers, big neighborhood get togethers...If we had chosen to send her to a different school, I would have to drive her to Johnston to see her friends.
I am also looking forward to the camaraderie of a small town, getting to know many parents and children, and the overall feel of a smaller community. More and more opportunities are being created for adults and children in this town (so many adults are in their 30s-40s), and the town is thriving. We are also so excited to be closer to my cousin and her family. We have been good friends our entire lives and it's fun getting our families together.
Tonight we attended the back to school night. We toured the new elementary school (quite impressive), ate Smokey D's BBQ then headed to the old elementary school to meet Alena's teacher. She quickly found her locker and seat in the classroom before meeting her teacher, Mrs. Bengard. We have heard such good things about her and I'm already impressed with her neatness and organization in the classroom. She said she was a little OCD, which is perfect for me! She is pregnant so will only have a month with the kids before her maternity leave, but they will have one substitute teacher the entire time who Mrs. Bengard will be communicating with throughout her leave.
Up until last week I didn't even know when school started. I am such a planner and hate not knowing what the day was going to be like for Alena so I'm glad I got most of my questions answered. I am a little nervous about her riding the bus so it's probably a good thing we won't have to tackle that the first week of school. We learned about lunch options, field trips, the snack rotation, their daily schedule, and the free after school program the library offers on Wednesdays (early out day).
Although I am still in complete denial and keep telling Justin our daughter is too little to be in school, I know she is ready for this. She has been pretty quiet the last couple weeks but I think deep down she is excited!
Go Hawks!
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