Around 400 F.E. Burleson Elementary School students, teachers and faculty members gathered in front of their school last week to celebrate 100 years of existence for the school by implementing activities involving the number 100. | Lauren Estes

Lauren Estes

Hartselle Enquirer

Nearly 400 elementary students gathered Wednesday morning to celebrate the 100th year of existence for Burleson Elementary School.

The current F.E. Burleson Elementary School was built in 2001, following the former Burleson building, which is now called the Burleson Center or Fine Arts Center which came to be in 1916. Principal Debbie Queen said since the school‘s existence the educational excellence has not gone unnoticed, as they have received many awards.

“We’re currently celebrating the 100th year as F. E. Burleson School by doing activities in the classroom and upcoming events that include the 100 theme,” Queen said. “The theme right now is to read 100 books by grade level. The kids love to read and we actually had some high school students who came by this morning and want to be a part of it too. We’re starting a challenge in the community with the same 100 theme.”

As part of the challenge to read 100 books, some students have taken an extra initiative to go beyond to be involved and reach the goal.

Second graders Ilana Shariett and Lilly McCarley have both discovered their own favorite activities in the challenges put on by their teachers.

“I’ve enjoyed in math when we’ve broke apart the number 100 and dividing it,” McCarley said. “You can divide it by 10’s and 20’s. That’s been neat.”

“Adding money for me was my favorite,” Shariett said. “There are different ways to add money and to subtract it. I also really like reading the 100 book reading challenge.”

Shariett said she is hoping to be able to take the reading challenge to the next level by reading to her grandmother, Terry Hughes’ third grade class, who is also a teacher at Burleson. McCarley set a goal for herself to read 100 books during the challenge.

Queen said the 100 book reading challenging allows for a grade class to collectively read the books together to achieve the 100 total. A prize will go to the winning class who reads the 100 books first as a grade level.

“They will be going down memory lane with the 100 year theme as they are able to experience different decades during their studies,” Queen said. “The timeline starts in 1916 and it shows what was going on in the world during that time in music, how they dressed and in the physical side of it. This will help them to embrace tradition and for many people who went to Burleson over the years.”

Students also dressed up to represent the 100th day of school. Many kindergarteners dress as 100-year-old men and women. The 100 theme will continue for the upcoming months, Queen said.

“On March 5-6, we will have several events occurring, including a Living History Wax Museum, a book fair, science fair and we will recognize a group of people for the 100 for 100 campaign,” Queen said. “ We sent out a letter today to people in the community. The 100 for 100 campaigns will recognize a prestigious group of community supporters made up of current and former educators and parents and alumni for their monetary contribution toward our goal to enhance learning tools for our students. A commemoration plaque recognizing the first 100 individuals, groups, or businesses to contribute to $100 will be placed in the school foyer at a special reception for donors on March 5.”