For an hour on Friday, March 17, Reed Intermediate School students, faculty, and staff experienced a different schedule than normal. Reed library/media specialist Pia Ledina, music teacher Mardi Smith, and a committee organized the day designed to foster new friendships and lessons.

Ms Ledina explained the TAG (Team Across Grades) Days were scheduled for both Friday, March 17, and Friday, March 24. Ms Smith said students signed up for activities, and the entire program was designed to help students meet students and teachers they may not know or interact with regularly.

The activities scheduled for the day, Ms Ledina said, were called "TAGtivities." Students participated in beading and jewelry making in one classroom, played games like kickball in the school's gymnasium, and some groups ventured outdoors.

As the TAGtivities began, fifth grade teacher Richard Neeb and sixth grade teacher Todd Stentiford met students outside the school's main entrance, with bicycling gear and their bikes. Students sat in front of them learning about hazards and safety. Before heading out, Mr Neeb and Mr Stentiford led the students in a safety checklist. All helmets were securely fastened before the group set out.

Ms Smith ran a Recycled Wonders activity. Students used recycled glass jars, which Ms Smith said she collected and saved for the event, and other recycled material to make tea lights or holders for pens and pencils. Ms Smith said the students would also use T-shirts in another project to create new "wonders."

From learning about the history of cameras to learning about therapy and service dogs, students participated in more than 30 TAGtivities. Ms Smith said all of the activities would be repeated the following week for students to further learn and interact together.