Central Middle School

At CMS, we were excited to be able to purchase a novel for each student. We know that reading for pleasure has positive social, emotional, and academic benefits. To choose books for our students, we consulted the 2021-22 Maine Student Book Award list of nominated literature for suggestions and gave students a choice of which book they preferred. The books were ordered but shipping delays nationwide worked against us and the books did not arrive until 2:05 on the last day of school. We quickly pulled together a group of students and staff and began sorting them and marking books with student names. About half of all students left with a book that day. Some of the books did not arrive on that day (as a matter of fact, we are still waiting for Kodi by Jared Cullum to be delivered). Students who did not receive a book on that day had one delivered to their home.

Likewise, yearbooks came in late too. They arrived on the teacher in-service day (Wednesday, June 9). Upon arrival, we noticed that there were several errors. Some students who ordered personalization did not get them; some orders simply were not filled. At this time we are still waiting on about 15 books to be re-printed correctly. On Monday, June 21, eight teachers and ed techs volunteered time and made deliveries of the yearbooks we had and all remaining novels to students’ homes throughout the district. A huge ‘Thank You’ to Lisa Oliver, Amy Clement, Amy Bickerstaff, Mike Viani, Hope Buswell, Mary Lord, Sally Page, and Joanie Ireland.