Kindergarten celebrates 100 days
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of BRE
Mrs. Gale’s kindergarten class pauses from all things 100 to show off what they have learned on their centennial day of school.
Celebrating the 100th day of school has become an annual tradition in many elementary schools across the nation in the past dozen or so years. Castle Pines schools are no different. Typically, in February the youngest students celebrate this milestone with a day of curriculum and fun focused on centenary activities.
Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) has a few beloved traditions for the 100th day of school. Each year, the kindergarten students are encouraged to dress up as if they were 100 years old. Students and teachers with gray hair, glasses and other geriatric accessories always coax smiles from everyone at the school. Kindergarten teacher Andrea Gale said, “A few years ago a few of us decided to make dressing up a thing, and we had so much fun that it stuck!”
More than a day-long party, the 100th day of school is a milestone, especially for kindergarten students, most of whom it is their first all-day school experience. There are conversations about how much they have already learned and everything that has been accomplished so far in the school year and a chance to look ahead toward the remaining few months of classroom learning.
Andre P. boldly declares his survival of the first 100 days of kindergarten in this unique school year.
Happy to be back to learning and celebrating in-person on the 100th day, the conversations also talked about tenacity. “The year has been really crazy, but even with the pandemic, kindergartners have pushed through and persevered. They are like little sponges and soak everything up. We are thankful for that and all of the support we get” said Gale.
Mia L. is dressed to the nines in pearls and a lace collar to celebrate the first 100 days of school.
It’s also a day full of everything 100. Counting to 100, in all the varieties (by ones, twos, fives, tens, etc.) is a large part of the activities throughout the day. Naturally, it’s a day that incorporates many number concepts. At BRE, kindergarteners make a 100-day snack bag, with 100 items each, usually small crackers, marshmallows, pretzels, or other similar foods. The students also focus on writing and art activities around 100, including a 100-year-old self portrait.
Gale’s perspective and favorite aspect of celebrating 100 days with her students is slightly different than the kid’s, “I just love to see how excited all the kids get and how much fun it is making such a big deal out of being in kindergarten for 100 days!” Speaking of her students, she said, “I think they love the treats the most.”
