SeDoMoCha Elementary families ‘just keep reading’ together with One Book, One School

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Since mid-January students and families at the SeDoMoCha Elementary School had the opportunity to read the junior novelization of the animated film “Finding Dory” at home together for the seventh annual One Book, One School initiative — copies of the book were provided by the school. The shared reading program concluded with a celebration on the evening of Feb. 16 with dinner, crafts, games and other activities.
“We figured there were between 350-400 people in attendance last night,” SeDoMoCha Principal Julie Kimball said the day after the One Book, One School finale.
During the evening celebration, families arrived and began the program by either enjoying dinner in the cafeteria or taking part in activities in the art rooms, gym or multipurpose room. The menu was once again funded in full by the SeDoMoCha School Organization and consisted of shells and cheese, chicken nuggets, blueberries with cream and chocolate-covered pretzels topped with goldfish crackers. Several dinner items were chosen for the nautical connection to “Finding Dory.”
Many of the students worked up an appetite in the multipurpose room as they ran through the obstacle course while their parents watched. Throughout the building were volunteers, including middler-schoolers, members of the Foxcroft Academy National Honor Society and SeDoMoCha staff.
One Book, One School attendees could also decorate fish art projects, have their pictures taken in an under the sea photo booth and play various games in the gym. Leading up to Feb. 16 families were encouraged to submit photos for a display and on the event Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sedomocha, with many images including students’ replica pet goldfish they were given for One Book One School and created with the school’s 3-D printer.
Just like in past years, families who read “Finding Dory” at home filled out reading logs as they went through a chapter per night. Completed reading logs, which also provide organizers with program data, were entered into a prize drawing with a winner chosen from the various grade levels to receive a Dory-themed prize.
Kimball said in addition to the reading log prizes, there was a contest for families as they tried to locate Dory signs posted at 10 businesses around town and those who found the signs could enter into another prize drawing. “There were a number of Dory-themed items that had been donated for prizes,” she said.
“There were daily facts that were read each morning,” Kimball said about the daily announcements. “We also had a daily classroom drawing to have Dory come to visit. The hallways were decorated by staff and teachers did their own activities within their classrooms.”
“I would like to thank (grade 3 teacher) Jessica Dunton for coordinating the event,” the principal said. “We also had incredible support from (literacy teacher and past One Book, One School lead organizer) Carolyn Clark, our staff members and administration.”
SeDoMoCha officials are looking to continue the event in 2018, potentially having an even bigger program than ever before.
The first SeDoMoCha Elementary One Book, One School took place in 2011 as students and families read “A Castle in the Attic” by Elizabeth Winthrop and then enjoyed a medieval feast after they finished the novel. A year later “The Indian in the Cupboard” by Lynne Reid Banks was the program selection and the ending evening event featured a Western motif and activities. In 2013 One Book, One School featured E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” and this novel led up to a night at the fair. The year after everyone was off to see the wizard with “The Wizard of Oz” and in 2015 the SeDoMoCha community had a golden ticket with Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Last year students and parents were brought together by a helpful classroom hamster, the protagonist in Betty G. Birney’s “The World According to Humphrey.”
The shared reading experience, which for many of the children includes a parent or someone older, is intended to help students improve listening comprehension, increase vocabulary, understand concepts, lengthen attention spans and create a positive attitude toward books while creating fun and memorable connections to the school community.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
STEPPING OVER THE SHARK-INFESTED WATER — RSU 68 Superintendent Stacy Shorey tries the obstacle course during the ending celebration for the 2017 One Book One School program on Feb. 16 at the SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft. Over the last month SeDoMoCha Elementary students and families read the junior novelization of “Finding Dory” together at home.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
SEA ART — Students and families could create their own nautical-themed works of art during the One Book One School finale on Feb. 16 at the SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft. The evening featured crafts, games, dinner and more based around the shared reading experience of the junior novelization of “Finding Dory.”