Day one on the road to high school graduation

The 15 fidgeting and excited 5-year-olds began their kindergarten through 12th-grade journey on Tuesday with La Conner Elementary teacher Judy Zimmerman.

Zimmerman, also known as “Mrs. Z,” corralled her rambunctious charges into a half circle, sitting quietly as she flipped through a picture book describing the story while animatedly explaining school rules.

She covered the basics — how to use the classroom bathroom, with its high-tech light sensors and automatic soap dispensers. She told them they will have to listen attentively as they grow accustomed to a new school routine and big bu...