Orange County's much-awaited new middle school won't open its doors until Fall 2006, but locals already are submitting suggestions for its name on the Orange County Schools' Web site.
In a Web survey that ends Sept. 27, community members have the opportunity to fill out a brief form with their ideas for naming the school - which is in late construction phases on a West Ten Road Property in Hillsborough.
County schools spokeswoman Anne D'Annunzio, said ideas already have been collected via the Web site, but that it's not the only source officials will look to for suggestions. "We're going to survey the students, and then the community will be able to vote," she said Wednesday.
After collecting all of the names submitted on the Web site, fourth, fifth and sixth graders at existing Orange County schools will be surveyed for suggestions. Some of those students eventually will comprise the new middle school's student body.
School board member Libbie Hough, whose daughter suggested the name Buckland Middle School, said the opening of the new school has been much anticipated.
"It's an exciting time for any school district when it opens a new school," she said.
D'Annunzio said that a committee of students, parents, staff and community members will narrow the selection down to three names.
They will then conduct a telephone survey of parents.
"We have the ability to call all of the parents in the district and give them a choice, such as 'press one if you like name one, etc,'" D'Annunzio said.
