Story by Ainsley Hall
GERRARDSTOWN — Gerrardstown Elementary School celebrated 100 days of school by recognizing students with perfect attendance.
Monday marked the 100th day of school throughout the area, and many schools put together special activities to celebrate.
Every year, Gerrardstown Elementary School’s staff members find a special way to recognize this milestone throughout the year. They had different things to do depending on students’ grades. First graders dressed up as 100-year-olds, while kindergartners rotated between several activities throughout their classrooms. Some of the students even made special T-shirts representing 100 different items, so they could wear the shirts throughout the day.
Christine Redstreake, school counselor at Gerrardstown Elementary School, thought it would be a good idea to recognize some of the students as a part of the celebration. All the students with perfect attendance for the first 100 days of school were honored for their commitment. They were given fun glasses to celebrate and encourage other students to strive for perfect attendance.
“I really wanted to make it a big deal, because not missing a single day for 100 days is really impressive,” Redstreake said. “It’s something that not even many adults can do. I thought they deserved to be recognized for that commitment.”
The students were excited to be recognized among their peers and also received a special certificate to mark their accomplishment and a gift bag. Redstreake hopes that by recognizing their perfect attendance, other students will be inspired to do the same. She understands that sometimes things happen, and kids get sick, but whenever possible, she wants to encourage kids to come to school.
“It really goes back to attendance and celebrating that we’ve been together for 100 days,” Redstreake said. “When you spend so much time around the same people for so long, it really starts to feel like an extended family. I hope that throughout these days, the students have been able to make memories that will last a lifetime."