By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—What goes into 100 days of school? Inverness Elementary School teachers and students can tell you it’s a lot of learning, growing, work and fun. On Jan. 26, IES celebrated the 100th day of school with themed activities, games and crafts.

“(Over) 100 days in kindergarten… you see so much growth,” IES kindergarten teacher Amy Kleback said.

Kleback’s students spent the morning of the 100th day of school putting some of their 100 days of knowledge to work.

One group collaborated to build a structure out of 100 red cups, while another group diligently sorted items into collections of 100, and yet another group rolled dice in a lively “race to 100” game.

“One hundred is a big day because we can put what we’ve learned into action,” Kleback said, noting her students have spent a lot of time studying units of 10. “They get so excited about 100.”

Across the hall in Bridget Spackman’s classroom, kindergartners decked out in homemade T-shirts were also immersed in 100th day of school activities.

“This is a big accomplishment for us,” Spackman said.

Spackman’s students spent the morning reflecting on everything they’ve learned, from how to read and write 100 different words, to how to count to 100.

A timeline on the floor visually marked each of these academic achievements.

Students got to put their own twist on 100 by making T-shirts displaying 100 of something they liked. Later in the day they got to showoff their festive creations in a class fashion show.

“They take more ownership andmore pride in it,” Spackman said of the students’ shirts. “They built their own shirts… it (shows) a lot of their personality.”

Although the 100th day of school at IES is about learning, it is also about fun and recognizing hard work.

“It’s just and accomplishment,” Spackman said. “Just making it about them and saying, ‘Guys, you’ve done a great job.’”