Across the school district on Thursday, February 2, elementary schools marked the 100th day of the 2016-17 school year with a range of activities, lessons, and celebrations.

Middle Gate Elementary School continued its tradition of honoring the day with a 100th Day Museum. According to Middle Gate math/science specialist Jill Bracksieck, all students, from kindergarten to fourth grade, participated in creating projects that were put on display for the museum. More than 200 projects were collected and displayed for the day in one room at the school. Classes then took turns visiting the room; 100th Day learning activities were also held throughout the day.

"We love seeing the projects come in. The originality and thought that the children put into their projects is inspiring to the students and to staff," said Ms Bracksieck.

Some of the projects at Middle Gate showed 100 items gathered together, like a "100 Loving Faces" project that had pictures of dogs. Another project used flat wooden craft sticks to create a small building.

"Not only are the projects fun, but students are learning important lessons about quantity and about what large numbers look like in real life," said Ms Bracksieck.

Hawley Elementary School math/science specialist Jenna Connors said the 100th day of school was a great day at her school. Each grade level celebrated the day in its own way. Kindergarten students, for instance, wore 100th day of school crowns and created collages of 100 items by counting out ten groups of ten. First graders made portraits of themselves at the age of 100 and made a snack mix by counting ten groups of ten different snack foods.

"It was a great 100th Day at Hawley," Ms Connors said.

Sandy Hook Elementary School began preparing for the 100th day of school by holding a collection for FAITH Food Pantry that began in mid-January. Each grade level and the school's staff worked to each collect at least 100 donation items before the 100th day. Kindergarten and first grade students also did a number of counting activities, according to math/science specialist Kris Feda.

All classes at Sandy Hook School had the choice of participating in 100th Day activities, according to Ms Feda, and one special activity had the entire school line a main hallway in the morning. First grade students wearing paper bag vests covered in 100 items paraded for their fellow Sandy Hook School students. Many students and teachers held their hands out for high-fives as the first graders passed.

According to Head O' Meadow math/science specialist Chrissie Pierce, students in kindergarten to second grade participated in a variety of 100th Day activities. Kindergarten students created hats and necklaces that were made from ten groups of ten items. Second graders completed an engineering challenge to built the tallest structure possible from 100 plastic cups.