Activities attract eager pupils

Children started their school day as students and finished it as zoologists, crime scene investigators and photographers on Thursday at H.T. Wiley Intermediate School, 1351 Washington St.

Community members and Wiley teachers focused on LIFE, which stands for Learning Is Fun Everyday.

"We want to give every student an opportunity to try something new, something they've never done before," said Assistant Principal Sandra K. Cain. "It's something that gets kids excited to come to school, even if they're students who aren't usually excited about it."

Students could choose from 30 different enrichment activities and workshops, including identifying winter animal tracks with representatives from the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park, a crime scene investigation presentation by the Watertown Police Department and a digital photography workshop.

In past years, LIFE day has been a voluntary, after-school program. But this year, it was part of the school day so everyone could participate. It's not quite like a career day, but it does get students thinking about what they want to do one day, Mrs. Cain said.

Fifth-grade teacher Wendy J. Augliano hosted one of the day's most unusual activities: making duct tape bags. All students needed was some duct tape and part of a trash bag, which they folded over to make a waterproof bag that could transport their swimsuits to and from the pool for gym class.

Around 80 students attended the crime scene investigation workshop to learn what it takes to be a police officer. When asked how many of the students who attended the workshop wanted to be police officers, nearly all of them raised their hands. The students' answers for why they want to join the police force ranged from wanting to carry a gun and wear a cool uniform, to wanting to test skills and help people.

Fifth-grader Terrance R.E. Lemon, 10, said he chose the crime scene investigation workshop over playing basketball, his second choice.

"I watch 'CSI' on TV with my mom and sisters," he said. "Something like that is something I definitely want to do for a career one day."