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Shelc Elementary’s ‘One School, One Book’ program drew students, families and a community movie night
Summary
Shelc Elementary distributed The Wild Robot to every grade, used daily trivia and online resources to engage families, secured a $740 licensing fee to host a group movie at Johnson Hall, and charged roughly $3 per student with scholarships/donations available to ensure access for all.
Shelc Elementary’s staff and librarian Helen told the RSU 12 school board that the school’s One School, One Book program — centered on The Wild Robot — engaged students across grade levels and brought families into reading activities. "We picked it because it could hold the attention of all ages," a school leader said, describing classroom read-alouds, family packets and daily trivia used on morning announcements to spark discussion and participation.
The program distributed the book to students (the one-school, one-book cost cited was $66.95 per student and $6 per staff) and provided 14 complimentary teacher copies paid for by a grant from the Keep Driving Foundation and the Berlin City Auto Group. Staff used online resources, Kahoot quizzes and a Family Fun Pack to create cross-grade conversations; the principal said staff and students were excited as the project "snowballed" across the building.
After the in-school reading, organizers arranged to show the book’s movie adaptation at Johnson Hall. The district was charged a licensing fee of about $740; Johnson Hall offered to open the venue for $1 per student to cover the building cost. Organizers therefore charged roughly $3 per student and accepted donations or covered costs for families who could not pay. "If you can't pay the $3, that's fine — we'll cover it for you," the principal said.
The principal described logistics for transporting the entire student body about 10 minutes to the theater (five buses and staff chaperones) and the use of middle‑school ambassadors to support younger students. Johnson Hall staff complimented the children’s behavior, and the principal said the experience was positive and that the school will consider repeating the event if further grant funding is available.
The school leader and librarian raised the possibility of scaling the program district‑wide; an estimate cited during the meeting put a district rollout at roughly $8,000 and would require additional grant resources. Board members who participated in the program were given copies and staff said they will try to ensure board members receive books in future runs.
The initiative was presented as both a literacy effort and a community‑building activity; organizers emphasized fee waivers and fundraising ensured equitable access. No formal board action was required beyond discussion and informational presentation.
