She got in!!

So, yesterday Anna's grandmother (actually her great-grandmother, but she calls her grandma) came to school around 12:45 and we drove out to Benchmark. We got there with about two minutes to spare because we weren't sure where it was. I was driving, which was nice. Anna was excited and a little nervous, and was talking the whole time...until we pulled up to the school. She was completely silent.

We went in, and introduced ourselves, and almost immediately Anna was taken into "Classroom 3" to be screened. Her grandma, Mary, and I sat in the library to wait. They have THOUSANDS of books. I am so jealous and wish all my students could have access to such a library. You could tell the books had been read, too. They were used but in good condition. Mary and I filled in a form about Anna's school and life history while we waited, and chatted a bit. We were both nervous that Anna wouldn't be accepted.

After what seemed like HOURS (really about forty-five minutes), the examiner called us back in to talk about Anna. Anna sat in the library to read while we went. The examiner had had Anna read word lists, read a few stories aloud and answer questions about them, read a story to herself and answer questions, and listen to a story being read and answer questions about that. She came in at about end of second grade/beginning of third grade, which is what I had suspected. Then the woman told us that Anna would really benefit from their program! So we were both really excited, talked briefly about the next few steps (Anna will get a packet of information in the mail), and went out to find Anna. She was on the computer (of course, she loves them!). We said goodbye, and went to McDonalds to eat.

When we got in the car, Anna said, "I'm hot I'm cold I'm scared I'm excited," all at once. I think she was relieved to know that she was going. When they dropped me off at school, her grandma gave me a big hug. I think she wasn't sure what the school would be like, but now I think she's just as excited as I am. The two of them are going to put together some things to sell at the yard sale we're going to have on June 25th.

So...now that it's officially on, PLEASE ask your friends and family members to donate! Please come to my event on June 24th if you are in the area! Thank you all so much for your support and the donations we've already received. =)