Bikes for Books T-shirts were awarded to the top three readers of each grade at Windsor Elementary School. (Contributed photo)

On June 6, Windsor Elementary celebrated reading at its seventh annual Bikes for Books awards program. Bikes and helmets were awarded to twenty students at this assembly. Bikes for Books is a reading incentive program for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth grade. Every time a student read a book and passed an Accelerated Reader test, his or her name was entered into a drawing to win a new bicycle and helmet. The more books a student read, the more chances he or she had to win. One boy and one girl were randomly chosen from each grade level. Bikes for Books T-shirts were also presented to the top three readers in each grade.

The following students received T-shirts: Codey Haskell , Adelynne Jose, Makayla Beaudry, Hunter Beaudoin, Jaycey Tilkins, Grace Lucier, Jude Sheehan, Christopher Ontiveros, Addison Brann, Andrew Trocki, Mason Marable, Griffin Hayden, Camden Hinds, Jackson French, Olivia Austin, Gwen Parker, Anderson St. Onge, Ryan Sevigny, Andrew Box, Alyssa Trocki, Hayden Scott, Parker St. Onge, Jacoby Furrow, Jeremy Parker, Alyssa Gagne, Damon Wilson, Brooklyn McCue, Parker Reynolds, Faith Mitchell and Tenny Lincoln.

The following students won bikes: Owen Barnes, Aubrey Norton, Dominic Trahon, Kayleigh Chamberlain, Emery St. Onge, Makenzie Turner, Griffin Hayden, Megan Bailey, Nathaniel Wooden, Leah Barrett, William Choate, Ashley Lacasse, Andrew Box, Rachael Johnson, Noah Crummett, Evelyn Rousseau, Carson Appel, Alexis Alcott, Connor Bragg, and Faith Mitchell.

Bikes for Books is sponsored by Dirigo Lodge #104 A.F. & A.M. with support from Lily of the Valley # 157 O.E.S. and a matching grant from the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. This program was made possible with contributions from the following businesses: Netco Inc., Mark’s Saw Shop , Norm’s Small Engine, Rideout’s Market & Grill , J.C. Stone Inc., Hussey’s General Store, Ron’s Auto Electric, Windsor Veterinary Clinic, Aunt Gin’s Restaurant, Otto’s on the River, Elmer’s Barn, Augusta Upholstery, Sharon’s Redemption Center, Black Dog Graphics and Target.

Steve Ball

Steve Ball, of Windsor, veteran and teacher, has announced his candidacy for Maine House of Representatives District #80, which includes Vassalboro, Windsor, Somerville and part of Augusta. Ball retired as a colonel from the U.S. Army following a 27 year career. Since coming home to central Maine, Ball has taught at Erskine Academy, in South China, and at Thomas College, in Waterville. He has also served on the Windsor Budget Committee and been actively involved with HealthReach Community Health Centers, as a member and chairman of the board of directors, and with the Mid-Maine Global Forum. Ball is interested in supporting local schools, working to make health care both accessible and affordable for working families, and doing everything possible to support economic development that increases jobs and wages. He will work to make sure the state of Maine pays its fair share and supports revenue sharing. But mostly, he’s interested in working to find solutions to the problems and challenges we face in Central Maine.

“I learned in the Army that there is no substitute for hard work and that everyone matters,” Ball said. A successful leader throughout his career, he was taught at every level in the Army to first, fully understand the problem ahead and then work with everyone to get the job done. Ball is concerned that entrenched partisan politics has taken over for sound, intelligent problem solving. “Maine know how to solve problems. Most Mainers know that while you may not get exactly what you want, with hard work, leadership, and respectful discussion things get done.”

Ball is planning to get out and meet as many voters in the district as possible. For more information, contact Steve Ball at 207-214-2805, or steveballdistrict80@gmail.com.

LeapPads

Windsor Elementary School has announced that their Title One program received a generous grant from the Perloff Family Foundation and the Maine Community Foundation. The goal of the grant is to support engagement of both students and parents/caregivers in the love of reading. The grant awarded 15 LeapPads and sufficient apps to provide a variety of resources. This project is especially important as it is encouraging adult role models to show them fun ways to read. Twice a month, children will receive a take-home bag containing the tablet, associated materials, and a parent contact form for the weekend. Parent involvement is an essential part of Windsor’s Parents as Partners program. The LeapPads were unveiled at a parent night and another is already scheduled. Linda Farwell and Mary Clark, the Title One educators, were instrumental in gaining this award.

Early reading and language skills build a critical foundation for learning. LeapPads include games, activities, videos and eBooks designed to build important early reading they need to become confident readers. New enhanced eBooks feature a vocabulary glossary and highlighted, clickable text that children can tap on to hear each word for more practice. Children raised in homes that promote family literacy grow up to be better readers and do better in school than children raised in homes where literacy is not promoted. We know that promoting family literacy is important to future reading and school success.