Bethalto Students Donate Toward Community Literacy

BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School students presented a check to the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Board of Education to increase literacy in the community.

During the Board’s regular meeting on Feb. 26, 2026, four members of the Educators Rising program at Civic Memorial spoke about their fundraising efforts to assist with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Madison County. Through several initiatives, students have raised money to help continue this program in Madison County.

“This is such an incredible group of future educators,” said Superintendent Dr. Jill Griffin during the meeting. “They’re doing a lot of important work…Lots of little kids are going to benefit from this program.”

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a global program that delivers free books to kids ages birth through 5. Madison County recently announced that all children in the county ages birth through 5 are eligible for this program.

While the books are completely free to families, donations help make this possible. School districts in Madison County were also asked to pay a portion of costs. The students in Educators Rising have raised money through fundraising over the past few months to pay the rest of Bethalto’s portion.

At one CMHS assembly, students could pay $1 for a foot of duct tape to tape Principal Justin Newell to the wall. During Bethalto’s Christmas walk, families could donate to receive a marshmallow snowman snack.

Educators Rising students also babysat at a recent craft fair, decorated a float for the town’s homecoming parade, organized a Trunk-or-Treat, and will go on to participate in Teacher Appreciation Week.

The Educators Rising program, overseen by teacher Angie Nielson, aims to prepare students for a career in education. Students are able to spend time in Bethalto classrooms and work one-on-one with teachers.

Griffin noted that during the first year of the Educators Rising program, one student was a Golden Apple recipient, which is a major accomplishment. In the second year, they had four students receive this honor. This year, they had six Golden Apple students.

“I think that speaks to the level of preparation that our students are getting in our school district,” she said.

Students, teachers and Board members applauded the Educators Rising students as they presented the check during the meeting.

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