Recognizing students’ learning achievements, Columbia County’s Brookwood Elementary dedicated a specially themed day on Thursday, Jan. 18, for teachers to congratulate students on their progress.
With teachers dressed up to match the glow-in-the-dark, “100 Days Brighter” theme, students walked into school excited to spend the day in their neon threads.
Kindergarten teacher Ashley Taylor, who has been teaching for 13 years, said she believed celebrating 100 days of school encouraged children to continue shining in the classroom.
“Especially in Kindergarten, they have major growth that you see from the beginning of the year to now, and it’s fun to see them get excited about learning,” she said.
This year, she is commendening her students’ accomplishment of successfully counting to 100.
“They’re very excited. They’ve been working so hard on counting,” she said. “Getting to celebrate the 100th day of school really goes hand-in-hand with what we’ve been teaching, so it’s a fun way to celebrate their growth throughout the year.”
Using a blacklight and neon decorations, Taylor’s students wore glow-in-the-dark accessories and neon hats as they used highlighters to write glow numbers.
“When they all came in this morning, they were like ‘woah!’” Taylor said.
Down the hall, fifth graders celebrated their 1000th day of school in a decked out classroom.
Brookwood’s Raley Arnold, who has been teaching for five years, said although the day’s curriculum and activities did not experience a major change, the students do still dress up and enjoy small ways to acknowledge their journey in elementary school.
According to Arnold, who has also had experience teaching second graders, the biggest difference between teaching fifth graders versus younger students is their maturity level, and the best way to celebrate their achievements is by continuing to build a personal relationship and connection with each.
“They want to work more for you if they know you care,” she said. “We’re also a Title I school, so a big part of what I like to do is to make sure that I give them experiences on top of building those relationships.”
To Arnold, the 100th day of school emphasizes to students that learning can still be fun, and each should take a moment to recognize their personal successes in the classroom.
“We took our midterm diagnostic test last week and we actually celebrated their growth earlier in the week, so that they see the work they’re putting in is paying off,” said Arnold.
Over the years, students and staff have seen various themes of celebrating the 100th day of school, with Principal Melissa Culpepper’s favorite involving the children dressing up as older adults.
“One of the ones that I really liked is when the kids dress up as 100 year olds,” she said. “They come in dressed up with gray hair and canes, things like that, and it’s just fun … because learning should be memorable.”
With teachers and staff spending the day dressed in neon blazers, with glow sticks and faux colored highlights in their hair, each went home with a smile on their face after taking the time to enjoy their own successes in furthering their students’ education throughout the school year.
“School should be fun and learning should be meaningful,” said Culpepper. “We really try to hone in on that.”
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
