Starting the learning journey

Saratoga kindergartners shuffle into their classrooms after recess just as they always do, but today is a little different.

Students quickly hung up their winter coats as they enter the room and quietly take their seats, but they can’t sit still. They’re excited.

Saratoga Elementary School Teacher LeAnn Uhling hangs up her coat as well and stands in front of her students.

“Who knows what is happening today?” she asks.

“One-hundred days of school,” kindergartener Brecken Sandlian replies as he jumps out of his seat.

Monday marked the 100th day of school for Saratoga Elementary School students.

Kindergarteners celebrated with morning and afternoon activities planned for the day.

As kindergarteners lined up in front of the doorway for the first activity of the day, LeAnn reminded her students what the 100th day was really about. It’s a celebration of learning, growing, thinking and making friends, she said.

All Saratoga kindergarteners showed great improvement, but LeAnn said she thought Brecken improved the most in the first 100 days of school.

“Brecken wasn’t so sure about kindergarten,” LeAnn said. “There were things he was worried about, but he has just excelled.”

Brecken has some problems with registering his sense of touch, his father Josh Sandlian said.

Brecken is also kind of shy, but thanks to school and a brand new little brother, Brecken is doing well, Josh said.

“Once he got into school he really blossomed,” Josh said. “The skills they can build within these kids is amazing.”

Saratoga Elementary School Librarian Ceile Fisher experienced Brecken’s blossoming firsthand.

“He has just grown so much,” Ceile said. “He was pretty shy when he first started, but now he is very outgoing. He’s kind of a little leader now.”

Whenever Brecken found himself in the elementary school’s library, he would read “Chicken Cheeks,” a book about all the ways to say derriere, Ceile said.

“I have never seen a kid laugh so hard in my life,” she said. “It is so fun to watch when they experience something like that.”

The first activity kindergarteners enjoyed Monday was a reading of the book “Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten,” with a very special guest in the room – Celie’s Border Collie playing the role of Miss Bindergarten.

For at least 11 years, Celie has used her dog as an educational tool. On Monday, Celie dressed her dog up and let students pet it as she read to the excited kindergarteners. Celie said this might be the last year she brings her dog into the school, she said.

At the end of the reading, kindergarteners returned to their classrooms, but not before petting Miss Bindergarten one last time.

Children then showed off 100-piece collections they made at home. One kindergartener brought 100 pennies. Another brought 100 gummy worms. Brecken brought different flavors of gum.

In the afternoon, Saratoga kindergarteners broke up into three groups to do different activities.

Brecken’s group went to draw what they thought they might look like in 100 years.

Brecken said he was excited about kindergarten on the very first day, but the 100th day of school was an event he did not want to miss.

Brecken’s interest in education is because of the great teachers he has, Josh said.

“He goes to all of the Friday schools. Not because anyone makes him, but because he wants to be there,” Josh said. “It is pretty exciting.”

Kindergarten has become what first grade used to be, LeAnn said. The new Common Core curriculum is more difficult, but is also more engaging to children, which makes learning more enjoyable.

“They are rising to the demands, but I don’t see kids that are stressing over school,” LeAnn said.

Whether it be the new Common Core curriculum, or good engaging teaching, it has had a positive effect on Brecken and other students.

“He’s almost a totally different kid,” Josh said.