The local grade school (Connors-Emerson) has conducted an annual event called the Business of Reading. For one week, the school sets aside half hour time slots during the school day for local business volunteers to come in and read a favorite book to the school children. In addition, readers are encouraged to explain how reading is important to their work.
2005 - online registration was introduced for those wishing to participate in the Business of Reading. The program remains very popular.
2001 - this program was revived after several years through the cooperation of the Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary club and the Bar Harbor PTSA. Over 100 business men and women volunteered 30 minutes of their time (plus some advance preparation, since all were encouraged to "dress the part") to read to the children in K-6.
While the excitement and interest on the part of students was obvious to teachers, administrators and volunteers by the lively questions and comments made during the 30-minurte sessions, the impact on the readers may have been even greater. Most comments from the volunteers centered around the sense that this was as much (if not more) of a rewarding experience for them as it was for the students.
In 2001,
Connors-Emerson school received recognition for the Business of Reading program
with the awarding of a "Making the Grade" citation by the
Maine State Board of Education. This award is given at least annually
To a school which shows a community connection or partnership with the school.
Connors-Emerson officials thought that the Business of Reading Festival
certainly fit that category, especially since it was encouraged to be revived
by the Rotary! Also, it has been highly successful. To earn the
award, school officials had to describe the program details (so they included
the overall plan, communications, and newspaper articles), show how community
interest had increased, write about the program benefits, and suggest how
this program might be implemented elsewhere. On February 13, 2002, Jan
Varnum (coordinator for the school) and Nancy Corliss (representing Bar Harbor
Rotary) accepted the award in Augusta.