Are "dress up like you're 100" days ableist/ageist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is. My kids’ school had the k and 1st graders make a necklace with 10 groups of 10 beads. This was done as part of a bigger math activity and used school provided materials.

The older kids had a 100 day challenge where they competed to see how many jumping jacks or multiplication problems they could do in 100 seconds. I forget what all the stations were, but there was a variety of choices so that kids with physical challenges and learning disabilities were not excluded. Also the results were written in each kid’s packet they brought home - not shared for the whole class or school to see.

It’s not hard to be fun while also being inclusive and equitable with a bit of creativity!

Equitable - avoiding projects and dress-up / spirit days where some kids can’t buy an extra shirt for one day or don’t have parents who have time and supplies to make an elaborate craft or costume or buy one on Etsy. Our PTA collects valentines for kids to pass out who otherwise won’t have any. We have a Halloween costume drive and teachers or the counselors take kids “shopping” to pick one out. The PTA gives every single student a school spirit shirt once a year so that no one knows whose parents can buy the shirts and whose cannot. We have a parent at each door with a bucket of flowers on “bring a flower for teacher appreciation week” day for any kids that “forgot”. It’s really not that hard to avoid things like costume days that make low income kids feel different or to subtly and quietly give all kids an option to participate without signaling to peers that they need charity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s insensitive and disrespectful.

+1

As a disabled person who has had to use a cane in my 30s to get around- there needs to be less stigma/ ageism around mobility devices in particular

There are people in their 70s who are mobile and spry and younger people who rely on mobility devices

I don’t like these days and think they are demeaning

I am a (Not elementary) teacher and would prefer the 100 objects ideas. But my school doesn’t do these celebrations.

[Anonymous]

This does not bother me, but many media portrayals of seniors sure do. They are so patronizing. Like we are all frail and clueless. And ANY hint of sexuality is met with a reaction of how adorable the couple is (think middle school dance).

I see zero respect for how those people have contributed to the world, or all that they know.

Better idea: have the kids interview the oldest person in their family and share a cool insight/what they learned

[Anonymous]

The only ones I view as being ageist and ablest are the ones who are offended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is weird but not offensive.

Will they dress up as 50 year olds on the 50th day?

For typical staff, they call this a "Tuesday".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only ones I view as being ageist and ablest are the ones who are offended.

So, you only care about the treatment of groups you belong to.

That really makes for a great society (see Germany, WW2).

[Anonymous]

Please get a life. This the last thing in the world about which anyone needs to worry.

[Anonymous]

No, but it is stupid. Who comes up with these ideas? What is the point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, but it is stupid. Who comes up with these ideas? What is the point?

The 100th day is most celebrated by kids in kindergarten and first grade. Often it goes along with a goal of having students be able to count to 100 independently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, but it is stupid. Who comes up with these ideas? What is the point?

The 100th day is most celebrated by kids in kindergarten and first grade. Often it goes along with a goal of having students be able to count to 100 independently.

You can celebrate that without the dressing up.

[Anonymous]

I'd like to see Dress Like A President Day to include presidential candidates, it's almost the same thing and it would be great fun for all!