This past Wednesday was the last day of school for Boothbay Region Elementary School. Every year, the school hosts a fun-filled assembly to joyously end the school year. The assembly began with Vincent Giles playing the national anthem and some of his personal favorite songs, including “It’s a Small World” and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” His teacher, Toby LeConte, noted to the audience, Giles has never had piano lessons and was self taught.

Principal Mark Tess announced the retirees and BRES faculty leaving. Deb Mellor, Cathie Parkhurst, Jo Haney, Susan Frisco, Cathy Hodgdon and Judy Dorr are retiring after working for Boothbay for a combined 200 years. Lisa Arsenault and Jennifer Bryce are leaving as well.

The highlight of the assembly was the “Books for Bikes” awards. This program was started up by a Masonic lodge in Madison, and spread statewide with Boothbay joining the program in 2013, and Edgecomb Eddy and Southport Central in 2015. Since the program began in the Boothbay region, over 350 bikes have been given out to avid readers.

Students read books, then fill out book report forms. Each form filled out equates to a raffle ticket, thus students are inclined to read more to increase their chances of winning a bike. Thirty-two Huffy bikes and helmets were given out to BRES students by the Bay View Masonic Lodge, and another 27 were given to Edgecomb Eddy and Southport Central students.

Sixty-one students in grades 2-5 participated in the program, which ran from Jan. 8 to March 30. In just a few months, the students read 461 books, totaling 54,310 pages according to BRES Librarian Haili Hardwick. The top reader, Meredith Ames, reading 58 books. Hardwick claims the program has “excited students and motivated them to read.” Reading is aids literacy, hones critical thinking skills, strengthens vocabulary and improves memory. 

The Masons gave away over 3,000 bikes this year. The group’s program has been proven to increase reading test scores, and has ignited youths' interest in reading.

The final activity was another new tradition. Tess volunteers for some quirky, funny activity at the end of the year to celebrate the success of Jump Rope for Heart. In past years, he has had pies thrown in his face, been silly stringed, had shaving cream sprayed on him, and last year he kissed a pig.

This year, 20 kids attended the fundraising event in May. The group raised $3,200 for heart disease research and aid to those suffering. Suzie Edwards raised the most, $1,200

Lauren Brown explained the mission of the American Heart Association emphasizes being physically active, eating well and living tobacco free. It also teaches volunteerism. Brown said Jump Rope for Heart is important as "kids can join exciting fundraising events where they learn heart healthy skills, have fun jumping rope and raising money for the American Heart Association.”

A short video was played and Tess walked out in an inflatable costume of Disco, a member of the “Scare Squad” the AHA uses to promote healthy lifestyles. Disco encourages a colorful plate filled with fruits, vegetables, grains and more. Tess, Jump Rope for Heart participants and faculty members danced to the Bees Gees while being cheered on by the audience. It was a memorable and enjoyable time.