Almost three years have passed since I first entered the doors of the Connect School as a student. Coming to Connect was the last thing I wanted to do. For months, my parents and I discussed where I would be attending middle school. I wanted to attend my home middle school. Many of my friends were going there and I thought that’s where I belonged. When the discussions were over, the decision was made. I was registered at Connect.

   

    My mother said that Connect was the best school in Pueblo, and she was confident that I would make “plenty of new friends.” She said I could transfer in January if i was unhappy. I agreed because I knew I would be.

   

    My first three days at Connect were orientation days.  Only 6th graders attended. We were all shy and nervous. (This is really hard to believe now. )  The teachers told us their academic and behavioral expectations. Wow! This was going to be hard! The whole thing sounded like a lot of “all work and no play.”

   

    As if this wasn’t bad enough, we all knew that on the fourth day of class we would be joined by the dreaded “upperclassmen.” We had all heard the horror stories. Eighth graders ate sixth graders for lunch! The directors apparently hadn’t heard the same stories . they said that the :Connect Code of Conduct” was based on respect, and no eighth  graders were going to ridicule or pick on us . In fact, we were going to be in the same classes with seventh and eighth graders. Great! What was my mother Thinking?

The first few weeks took some adjusting. This was the most challenging school I had ever attended. The work was demanding and the school was very structured. The teachers though, were very helpful and seemed to have our best interests at heart.  They did expect everyone to do their work and turn it in on time. I got used to having seventh and eight graders in my classes. In fact, they were very friendly. I was never bullied.

   

    Every day that passed was better than the one before. Eventually, I made many new friends. Two of my best friends were eighth graders! I also got used to the pace and the high standards of the school. I still had to work hard, but I had a better understanding of what was expected of me.

   

    When January came around, my parents asked me if I wanted to transfer schools. They had to be kidding! Why would I want to leave connect? In four short months, I had grown to love it. I still do. I am now the dreaded eighth grader. My fellow eighth graders and I are now preparing to leave Connect. As I look back on the three years that have passed, I remember many of the important lessons that I learned at Connect some of these lessons are:

* Warm cookies taste very good on Wednesday afternoons.

* Connections competitions are very serious matters.

* The bowling video isn’t so bad.

* Participating in School activities is a good thing.

* Sticking by your old friends is important.

* Making new friends is too.

* The ice at the arena is very hard.

* The teachers are here to help you.

* Eighth graders will no eat you alive.

* Seventh graders are very cool, too.

* Don’t bang your knees and elbows on the floor when picking up dust bunnies and buffies..

* Napping in class is no suggested.

* Exhibitions is not the scariest thing you’ll ever face.

* The school dances are the best.

* Treating others as you want to be treated is called respect

* Turn your work in on time.

* Even if your no the best, always try your best.

* Connect has the best students, teachers, and directors.

    I leave Connect the same way I came.... a little sad.I will miss the friends that will be going to different high schools. I will miss the teachers, who were always there for me. I will miss the directors, who run the best school in the universe. I will miss the school that made me feel safe and secure. I will miss my best friend who is in seventh grade and won’ be leaving with me. I will miss Connect.

   

    Make the most of every moment at Connect. The time goes by so quickly. Before you know it you will be he “dreaded eighth graders.”