Summer’s Here, but the Memories Keep Coming!
Although summer vacation is officially underway, some final end-of-year highlights from around the district are still making their way to us—and we couldn’t resist sharing this one from Williams Elementary School!
To celebrate reading more than 150,000 minutes schoolwide, Williams Elementary wrapped up their field day with a festive reading celebration. In a school-wide vote, students chose a unique reward: turning Principal, Mrs. Smith, and Dean of Students, Mrs. Solis, into human sundaes! The top readers from the school’s readathon kicked off the event by pouring maple syrup, chocolate fudge, and strawberry sauce over the heads of their administrators—who were fantastic sports about the whole sticky situation.
Before heading off for summer break, all students received a Summer Reading Carnival coloring sheet. Williams staff encourage all incoming 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to keep reading over the summer and return their completed sheets by September 3. Participants will enjoy an extra recess this fall, and all returned forms will be entered into a raffle to win one of 40 brand-new books—purchased with Scholastic dollars by Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Solis.
In addition, students can take part in the Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge sponsored by the Maine Freemasons. Those who read at least 20 minutes a day for 25 days (500 minutes total) will be eligible to have their names submitted to the Maine Department of Education’s prize drawing in November 2025. Each participating school can nominate two students. Reading passports for this challenge will be mailed out in July, and completed passports are due back by September 30.
Happy Reading, WES families—and enjoy the summer!
On another note, as the school year came to a close, Williams Elementary School was thrilled to welcome incoming 3rd grade students and their families for some fun and connection-building activities. On June 6, families joined Mrs. Solis, Mrs. Moody, and Mrs. Smith for an engaging afternoon of playground fun and gymnasium activities.
Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Solis led students through an energizing activator activity using rhythm sticks, a familiar tradition used to kick off the school’s Be the Light assemblies. Students also experienced a calming settler activity called “Rainstorm,” both part of The Regulated Classroom—a schoolwide approach used at WES to build community, engage minds and bodies for optimal learning, and strengthen the relationships within the school community.
WES staff were so appreciative of the families who joined in this special event and are excited to officially welcome all of these new students to the Wonderful Williams community this fall!
Just a few days later, on June 10, all second graders from Atwood Primary School visited WES for Step-Up Day. During their visit, students met the third-grade teaching team, toured the school, created WES bracelets, and received both a WES spirit wear order form and a Summer Reading Carnival form.
We look forward to seeing all these bright, eager learners back in the fall! #WeAreRSU18 #WESproud18
