Highschool

Rich and I took Autumn to a High school orientation on Wed. It is the first year the school has done something like this for the incoming Freshmen. They had different tables set up in the gym with the elective teachers so you could ask questions about the elective classes. They also had a program in the auditorium where they introduced the whole staff/teachers. It is a HUGE school. From what I understand there are 4 levels. They have added on several times so it has a new gym an old gym and we only saw the top floor where all the Freshman lockers are. We didn't see the cafeteria or even much of the school. It looks very nice with it's own wing for the drama & choir & I think band. It also offers the outside buildings with all the shop classes etc. This next year they are bringing in all the freshmen 1 day early to get them used to the classes and teachers before the rest of the mob gets there. I think this is a great idea. I think it is going to be very overwhelming as Blackfoot only has 1 high school and I am not sure how big the student body is but I know there are quite a few. I am pretty impressed with all the school has to offer. It is not like when we were in High school some of the classes blew me away "intro to Law" and as you advance you have the chance of taking classes that also offer College credit. Love it. This year the requirements of education change & they need 4 more credits to graduate. They have to have an addtl 2 in Math & 2 in Science I think. Plus they have to do a Senior project that has to be presented and have taken college entrance exams in their Jr year. Beside the core classes Autumn signed up for intro to Agriculture. They have to have this to take the Greenhouse class. Then a landscape design class. They have a greenhouse that they grow things in. Very cool. She will try to get Ag 1st or 2nd trimester and then Greenhouse last Tri as it is not offered in the 2nd due to the weather. It will be so good for her to learn this. Plus she wants to join the Ag. club. Like the teacher said it is not about becoming a farmer. They have a "huge" scholarship opportunity. They give out something like 2.5 mil each year in scholarships. The teacher said a while back 1.5 mil was not claimed because there was not enough kids that applied. So if she does well she has a good chance for a scholarship with this group. Next year she will be able to take some foods and child development classes. They are not offered for 9th grade. Plus she can take a class that the students teach preschool to the local children. Lesson plan and that type of thing and actually teach the class I think 3 day a week. She is thinking of becoming a teacher so this will be invaluable for her. Then there are a ton of business classes you can take and be able to work during the school hours at a local business earn $ and earn credit at the same time. Not to mention the Health occupation you could take and I guess once you are done with this class and pass it you are a certified nurse assistant and guaranteed a job. So cool. She will be taking Spanish it is recommended a foreign language at least 2 years it looks good on the college Apps. They also offer German & I think that would be fun but in the area we are in Spanish is defiantly more useful. When she takes P.E . next year (no credit this year for it) she can sign up for different classes. Not the boring PE we had in school that everyone hated. The school is right next door to the indoor Swimming pool so she could take a swimming PE. or she can take one that offers Flag Football, a few other things and Bowling. Once again school is in walking distance to a Bowling alley and tennis courts and soccer field. What a great opportunity. She will take Drivers Ed this year also. She is eligible to take it first Tri. but we told her no. She has to prove to us to pull a B average so we can afford the insurance for her. She is not thrilled to take it 2nd Tri because it is winter but both Rich & I feel like she will be a better driver because it will be winter. Lets face it driving in the snow/ice sucks but it is a reality and if she learns to drive in it all the better. So we are really excited for her to start her High school years. We want her to become involved and love school and get the best learning experience she can get. Both Rich and I hated High school and neither of us did well in it. Looking back now both of us wish we had done better in it. We want all 3 of our girls to walk away with a great opportunity not only to learn but to look back and see that it was a great time and memories before they have to enter the "real world" with real responsibilities. Bills, work, blah, blah,blah. She will also take Seminary of course.

This is really long but I also have to say Autumn read Fablehaven. She actually told me she thought it was better then Twilight. Gasp,shock. WOW did she really say that. in fact she stayed up so late reading it Wed night she didn't get her butt out of bed to go to school Thurs. Bad Autumn. But hey I guess we all need a day like that once in a while. I can't wait to read it. She got the 2nd book from the library & I am sure will have her nose in it all weekend. We will probably need to get to the bookstore or Library this weekend for book 3.