To the Editor:

During the week of November 15 through 19, Minot Forest Elementary School hosted its annual “A Salute to Reading Is FUNdamental” week.  “A Salute to Rif” is the Massachusetts organization which helps support the literacy goals of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).

For the past nineteen years, the New Age Role Models and Friends have scheduled volunteers to read to Massachusetts school children throughout the state.

In the past, this program has been highly successful for readers and children.  The children have been stimulated to read and the readers have been gratified not only by the enthusiasm of the children, but also with the knowledge of having made a direct impact on each child’s future.

This year, we had several people we would like to thank for taking time out of their lives to come in and volunteer to read and help our students understand the importance of literacy.

This year’s volunteers included:

Mr. Mark Andrews – Wareham Town Administrator

Mrs. Cara Winslow – Wareham Selectman

Mrs. Brenda Eckstrom – Wareham Selectman

Mrs. Jane Donahue – Wareham Selectman

Mr. Steve Holmes – Wareham Selectman

Ms. Heather Leosz – Aide to Rep. Susan Williams Gifford

Dr. Cliff Silvia – Wareham School Committee Member

Mr. Geoff Swett – Wareham School  Committee  Member

Ms. Rachel Gillette – Wareham School Committee Member

Mrs. Rhonda Veugen – Wareham School Committee Member

Mr. Kenny Fontes – Wareham School Committee Member

Dr. Barry Rabinovitch – Superintendent,  Wareham Public Schools

Ms. Ana Miranda – Director of Operations and Finance, Wareham Public Schools

Ms. Lori Peltola – Former Teacher, Wareham High School

Mrs. Margaret Boutiette – Former Teacher, Minot Forest Elementary School

Lt. John Walcek – Wareham Police Department

Captain Edwin Brundage – Wareham Fire Department

Mr. Chip DeBoise – Wareham Fire Department

Mr. John Kelley – Wareham Fire Department

Mr. Andrew Rolley – Wareham Fire Department

Officer Mary Walker – Wareham Police School Resource Officer

Mrs. Ramona O’Hearne – Former Wareham Selectman

Dr. Miller – Dentists

Mr. Ed Battenton – Janitor, Minot Forest Elementary School

Mrs. Pelliter – Parent

Mrs. Dianne Brosnan – Citizen

Joan Seamans

Principal, Minot Forest Elementary School