Nearly 800 third grade students in our area will soon have a new dictionary thanks to the Rotary Club of Paducah. The annual dictionary drive is one way the service organization partners with the school districts to positively influence the literacy level and quality of life of children in the community.
Third grade students attending the 10 Paducah/McCracken County public and private elementary schools, including Community Christian Academy, Clark, Concord, Heath, Hendron-Lone Oak, Lone Oak, McNabb, Morgan, Reidland and St. Mary will all receive a free dictionary on September 4, 9, 10 and 11.
More than 20 club members personally deliver the dictionaries to every third grade classroom in the city and county, leading the students in discovering the variety of information the dictionary offers. Students look up the longest word, the solar system and state capitals.
“Hendron-Lone Oak Elementary is so very fortunate to have a community partner like the Rotary Club,” says Jon Reid, Hendron-Lone Oak Elementary Principal.
“Their generosity and dedication to education is reflected through the Rotary Dictionary Project. Having a tangible tool in the hands of our students is invaluable to their academic success.”
Co-chairs of the dictionary project, Melanie McNeill and Steve Bright say that studies have shown that reading levels are more likely to predict future income than socioeconomic status at birth, and the Rotary Club of Paducah is doing what it can to increase reading levels of students across Paducah and McCracken County.
“Paducah Rotarians overwhelmingly support the Dictionary Project and look forward to it annually,” states John A. Williams, Jr., Paducah Rotary Club President. “In fact, the month of September is Basic Education and Literacy month, one of the six areas of focus of Rotary International. Our hope is that the dictionaries help third grade students to improve their language skills, which in turn, will lead to smarter students and better citizens in our communities.”
Rotary Club of Paducah dictionary delivery schedule:
September 4 – 9:30 am – Hendron-Lone Oak and 2 pm - CCA
September 9 – 8:30 am – Morgan Elem. and 9:15 am – Lone Oak Elem.
September 10 – 8:15 am – Clark Elem., 9 am – St. Mary, 10:45 am – Concord, 1:30 pm – Heath
September 11 -8:45 am - Reidland
