HOUSTON -- Key Middle School students and teachers will temporarily call another school home beginning Wednesday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The school's 600 students and 70 staff members will conduct classes about two miles away at Fleming Middle School at 4910 Collingsworth St. while their campus undergoes extensive environmental testing.

Houston Independent School District spokesman Terry Abbott said the morning went remarkably well.

"They were happy and smiling, the teachers were out there high-fiving them as they walked into the building," he said. "Teachers were telling them, 'Remember, straight As. That's what we want.' The kids are resilient and they're just ready for another school day."

Teachers, staff and students at Key have complained about becoming ill since the school year began. Ambulances have been dispatched to the school several times to transport teachers and staff to area hospitals. The ill have complained about headaches, chest pain, breathing problems and nausea.

Key students had Monday and Tuesday off while the school district made plans for the merger. Officials said the students will not be required to make up the days later in the year.

Fleming students and Key students will attend classes in different parts of the campus and will use different entrances, exits and stairwells.

"They actually won't interact very much during the day," Abbott said.

Nothing will change for Fleming students. School will start at 8 a.m. and breakfast will be available in the cafeteria.

Parents of students who attend Fleming welcomed the change.

"At least they have somewhere that's still close in range and accessible for parents," mother Vanessa Hollins said. "They're making it very convenient for us, especially those who have to work."

"This is a great opportunity for the kids to get to mix and make new friends," father Ronald Flakes said. "I think it's going to work out fine for them."

Key students will have to ride the bus a little more than normal. Students will report to Key and be bused to Fleming at 8 a.m. The students will be taken back to Key at 3:30 p.m., where they will catch their normal ride home.

Some Key parents were worried about their relocation and said they feared there were too many students in the building for all of them to receive the attention they need.

"I don't think it's fair because this is too far out of the district for them having to come over here when they're right down the street from the school," mother Carolyn Coles said.

Key students will have breakfast in their new classrooms and will have lunch in Fleming's cafeteria between 12:45 and 1:45 p.m.

Sporting activities will also be moved. Key students will use the athletic facilities at Barbara Jordan High School and seventh-grade football games will be played at Kashmere High School.

The district had extra counselors and administrators at Fleming to ensure a smooth transition.

Officials said Key students will likely not return to their school until after Christmas.

School district officials said the campus has been tested several times and nothing abnormal has been found.