EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville’s Leclaire Elementary School celebrated its 100th day of student attendance with activities, prizes and more fun.
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On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, the kindergarteners, first graders and second graders came prepared, dressed as 100-year-olds or pirates who “arrrr” 100 days smarter. Teachers filled the day with activities based around the number 100, including counting games and STEM activities. To Principal Donny Gunter, this dedication shows why Leclaire stands out.
“One of the things that we really like to do here at Leclaire is celebrate. We like to celebrate kids. We like to celebrate staff,” Gunter said. “We want kids to be excited about learning. We want adults to love where they come and work. They kind of go hand in hand. So we tell the kids upfront, this is going to be an exciting day, and we know that you’re excited about it. We know you can handle it. We hype them up.”
Gunter noted that the 100 days milestone aims to show kids how much they’ve grown since they started the school year. For the kindergarteners, who are learning to count to 100, this day takes on a special meaning.
Teachers like Jessie Buehnerkemper, Janna Beckmann and Kylee Kuba added that this year’s celebration was especially fun because it signifies a new pirate-themed tradition for the kindergarten classes. They expressed their appreciation for one another and the administration’s willingness to let them have fun.
“We support each other,” Beckmann said. “I’ve been wanting to have a Pirate Day for a long time, and I couldn't find a reason, and then I came across this.”
The kindergarteners sorted items in groups of ten, enjoyed pirate-themed snacks, and made mermaid water and octopus ink, STEM activities that were as messy as they were fun. Buehnerkemper added that the pirate theme is here to stay as part of the kindergarten’s 100 days celebrations.
“We’re hoping to start this new tradition,” she said. “This was a lot of fun.”
In addition to activities for the students, the teachers and staff also celebrate the 100-day mark with prizes. Families and community members have donated school supplies and gift cards to Leclaire, and Gunter chooses a winner every 15 minutes throughout the day. Teachers can win things like 100 pencils or 100 glue sticks, or they might win the “jackpot” prize, like a $100 gift certificate or $100 in lottery tickets.
Gunter believes these donated prizes are a testament to the community’s support of the school. Additionally, they encourage the teachers to have fun and enjoy the day as much as the kids.
“When I get up in the morning, the first thing that I’m going to think of is, ‘I’m going to go into work today.’ What kind of thought is behind that? Is it a positive thought, or is it a negative thought? If people enjoy coming to work, that's half the battle,” Gunter said. “I’m just super proud to work with the people and everybody here.”
He added that the “bottom line” is that parents trust Leclaire with their children, and for the staff members, “that’s not something we sleep on.” Teachers, administrators and staff all recognize the privilege of being able to teach these kids. They’re proud of the work they do and eager to share the students’ growth with their caregivers and community.
Gunter emphasized the value of the teachers at Leclaire. He thanked them for their work to support kids for 100 days now and counting.
“The people who work in the building have the things you can’t really teach. It’s the intangibles,” he said. “Everybody cares for each other. They want to do well for each other. One of the things that’s really, really grown here is the collective efficacy that we have as a building. When a kid steps in here, they’re ours. These are our kids. It’s family. You want to support each other. You want to see each other do well. You want to see the kids do well.”
Gunter noted that every day is an exciting day to be a Leclaire Leopard. Or, as Kuba puts it: “It’s the best school ever.”
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