On February 15, hundreds of 100-year-olds entered the doors of Wylie Early Childhood and the East and West Elementary campuses in celebration of being 100 days brighter – a day full of activities to celebrate the 100th day of school. As the students went about their day, they appeared perfectly happy about their graying hair, crookedly placed bi-focal glasses, and the need to use a walking cane.
“I like my gray hair,” said Zoey Reeves, a pre-k student at WEC. Fellow centenarian Reagan Strebek said, “being a 100-year-old feels like being 16.” Strebek also said she was wearing her pjs for her “old lady” that day. Truly, one’s age certainly does change one’s perspective.
In addition to dressing up, students enjoyed all types of activities that emphasized all things 100. From campus to campus, students enjoyed math activities such as counting different types of snacks or stickers by 10s and singing counting songs. Other activities included completing 100-piece puzzles, writing stories about what it will be like when they are 100 years old, and building 100-cup towers. At Wylie West Elementary (WWE) first grade students conducted experiments with candy. Some tested Tootsie Roll Pops to see if the center could be reached with 100 licks, an activity based on the 1982 commercial that asks, “How many licks does it take to eat a Tootsie Pop? Adley Lynn and Will Adkins, students at the WWE, said it took more than 100 licks to eat a Tootsie Pop in Mrs. Groves’ first grade class.
“Most students took more than 100 licks except for the owl,” said Adkins. The students watched the wellknown commercial before starting their experiment. They both agreed the experiment was a fun way to learn. “I would do it again because it was a fun activity,” said Lynn.
It was evident, across all three campuses, that this day is one that is highly anticipated, and this year was no exception. However, this year the actual 100th day of school fell on a day WISD had to close due to inclement weather. Despite the slight delay, the students and staff still had a wonderful time learning and celebrating being 100 days brighter.
By Kristen Johnson