Stand in Line.

4:50 am, they said was the earliest people stood in line. It broke a record. They came from across the street, and several blocks away. They came dressed for the cold winter weather, holding a cup of coffee, most likely TimHortons or Starbucks. They were not there to buy tickets to the next box office hit, entertainer of the year, or brodway musical. The doors did not open until 7am. They came to register their child for a chance to be enrolled in school this fall.
The school is just an ordinary school. It is not an over -the - top school. The people whose children attend there think highly of it, the teachers, principal and the staff. They do work hard at prioviding a good learning environment for tthe students, and as a whole the parents help out as much as they can. Parents try to enroll their children in this school over the one that is actually closer to them, because they like the learning environment.
There are no boundaries anymore, so just because you live in an are a near a school, does not mean your child will attend that school. Some one in parliament decided that the boundary rules were unconstitutional. And they are. So if you want , you can drive your child half way across town, if that is where you want your child to attend, provided there is room. There are only so many seats in the school district. They fill up fast. And if your child isn't registered somewhere, they will find a spot for you, no matter how inconvienient it may be.
So, to secure a spot, people line up early on the first day. A few years ago I braved blowing snow and pushed two children in a buggy two KM, to give Gem a chance to be at this school.
Even still, by the time I filled out the paper work the principal told me to have a second plan in place, because , they were pretty close to their max.
A time is stamped on your registration form, and as the principal welcomed potential new parents after 11 am she told them to have a second plan in place.
It has come down to first come first serve, in the school system. That's how you enroll your child in the school you want them in. But this year, I have an edge. Yes, there is a trump card. Gem is already attending school, and her sibling has priority over those who do not have siblings in the school, because they will not break up families. As heartbreaking as it is, I could register in march, and still bump someone who came in at 9. And if someone comes in next week, they will be told, "Sorry no such luck." I just hope they don't live across the street.