Embedded Files
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL (RIF)
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL (RIF)
For over 40 years, the Cumberland School Volunteers has sponsored the Reading Is Fundamental program. The program, offered in all 5 Cumberland elementary schools and the Cumberland preschool, promotes and supports "student choice" in reading materials.
The opportunity to self-select books excites students to read, motivates them to read more, helps them to develop self-confidence and promotes self-discovery. This free-book program distributes over 6,800 books to more than 2,300 students each year. When RIF, the nation's oldest and largest literacy program, ceased to be federally funded years ago, CSV has been responsible for 100% of the RIF program costs.
Just Friends: More Alike Than Different (JF)
Unique to Cumberland, the CSV sponsors its own disability awareness program, Just Friends: More Alike Than Different, for all 4th graders in the school district.
The goal is to educate students about disabilities and to embrace the differences in others by promoting friendship and tolerance. Trained volunteers make 4 presentations to each classroom, lead engaging activities, and promote the message that we are all much more alike than different. The topics covered include: blindness, deafness, physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. Guest speakers augment the presentations by sharing lived experiences with the students.
October 2025
October 2025
The CSV presented the second unit of Just Friends. It was on Physical and Intellectual Disabilities.
The CSV presented the second unit of Just Friends. It was on Physical and Intellectual Disabilities.
The fourth grade students at Garvin and Ashton got a special surprise.
The fourth grade students at Garvin and Ashton got a special surprise.
Ann Olean and her therapy dog KarRa came to discuss and show what a therapy dog does. She explained the differences between a therapy dog and a guide dog. The kids loved it!
Ann Olean and her therapy dog KarRa came to discuss and show what a therapy dog does. She explained the differences between a therapy dog and a guide dog. The kids loved it!
Previous Speakers
Services
Services
Volunteer Assistance/Support
Many schools and PTO's rely on volunteers to offer programming and services to students. Upon request, the CSV serves as resource to schools to help identify available volunteers to fulfill their needs. In addition, the CSV assists volunteers needing to complete the required annual background check (BCI) requirement.
Resource for Student Volunteer Opportunities
Through outreach efforts, CSV has connected with schools, the town and community organizations to identify volunteer opportunities for students. This information serves a resource for students and helps strengthen the bridge between the school and community.
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