TO: RSU #74 Board of Directors
FROM: Jean Butler
DATE: November 26, 2025
PreK-5 ELEMENTARY REPORT
Even with just a trace of snow on the ground, our PreK-5 students and staff are busy planning special holiday activities as a way to launch us into this most festive time of year. Excitement builds as the month of December rolls along, but we do remind students of the importance of giving and not just receiving.
Lots of activities are already on the calendar. We have put up trees to decorate with ornaments made by students and staff in our annual ornament exchange. We have a guessing content in which two students and a staff member at each school can win a stocking filled with gifts, a Guess the First Snow Day Contest, and Spirit Weeks with a wardrobe theme for each day.
Solon Elementary School students filled the big pom pom jar in the office due to their good behavior as part of our PBIS program so it was time for a schoolwide reward. So we brought the “Within the Whale” program to the school on November 24th. Students got to step inside a life-size, inflatable humpback whale named Chunk. Once inside the whale, students learned from a wildlife educator about marine mammals and environmental conservation. It was an immersive experience they won’t soon forget!
Once again this fall we recognized students in grades 3-5 across the district for their performance on the spring NWEA tests last spring in our District Awards Program. Each fall we identify winners of the six awards for obtaining the highest score in math or reading in the district on his or her NWEA test in the previous spring. Each winner receives a certificate, his or her name on a plaque hanging in the hall at CCS, and a check for $50. Funds for these awards come from former Embden resident Chet Hickox (math awards) and our three PTO’s (reading awards). Congratulations go to the winners for 2024-25:
Grade 3 Math – Arianna Bartlet of Garret Schenck and Paul Tucker of CCS
Grade 4 Math – Lydia Brong of Solon
Grade 5 Math – Jon Bouvier of Garret Schenck
Grade 3 Reading – Althea Tozier of Solon and Mavek Ford of CCS
Grade 4 Reading – Lydia Brong of Solon
Grade 5 Reading – Jon Bouvier of Garret Schenck
Solon Elementary School is sponsoring a Pajama & Book Drive organized by first grade teacher Rachel Layman and her class. The pajamas and books collected will be donated to the New Hope Women’s Shelter in Solon and the Sweet Dreams Program at the Federated Church in Skowhegan to benefit children in need during the holiday season.
Garret Schenck Elementary School will hold its second Christmas Dance Program on December 4th at 6:00 PM. Each class is learning a holiday dance routine from Heather Roux, a member of the Garret Schenck PTFO and a former dance instructor. The students and families enjoyed the show last year and look forward to another wonderful show.
Our PTO’s are taking an active role in the schools during the holiday season. Besides sponsoring a Book Fair the week of December 1-5, the Garret Schenck PTFO will also sponsor a Holiday Gift Shop on December 18th as part of the school’s Holiday Stroll. Students can purchase from this shop, which will have new and gently used items donated by staff and families, for the low cost of twenty-five cents each. They are also sponsoring a Build A Holiday Tree Contest, requiring each class to create a tree made from items found in their classroom. The Solon PTO will hold a Holiday Gift Shop on December 17th.They also gave teachers a chance to submit a wish list for their classrooms, and the PTO will shop for and provide items from those wish lists for each class.
Solon Elementary School is planning a Holiday Stroll in the morning on December 19th for students and families. Each classroom will have a theme, and students and families can visit the rooms to do crafts, play games, enjoy snacks, watch videos, and get into the holiday spirit. Rumor is that Santa Claus will also make an appearance!
If you have questions about anything in my schools, please contact me.
Have a wonderful holiday season!