Pupils celebrate 100th day

West Freehold School kindergartners and their teacher, Jennifer Bonaventura, take part in an annual Dalmatian Day celebration recognizing the 100th day of school.

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - In recognition of the 100th day of school, kindergartners celebrated the West Freehold School's annual Dalmatian Day in February.

Students and teachers dressed as Dalmatians and completed crafts and activities with the help of parent volunteers.

Dalmatian Day has become a tradition at the school. From the first day of school, children start counting the days and get excited about the celebration, according to information provided by the school district.

According to one of the organizers, kindergarten teacher Maureen Odas, there are more than 101 ways to learn, have fun and pretend while in kindergarten.

Parents helped children at centers in each kindergarten room to estimate, count, write, play Bingo by reading sight words, and assemble crafts such as bead necklaces.

Kindergartners also gathered clues and searched for their missing classroom pup after Principal Elizabeth Giacobbe, dressed as Cruella DeVil, hid the toy Dalmatian.

Pupils were given clues to lead them to locations like the lunchroom, library and gym to ultimately find the pup in the principal's office.

"This is something the whole school remembers and it is always great to see so many parents involved," Giacobbe said.

"When the day is over and the little 'pups' ask you, 'Can we do it again tomorrow?, then you know the Dalmatian celebration is worth everything," Odas said.