Dr. Kelly R. Clenchy, Superintendent
33 Shattuck Street,
Littleton, MA 01460
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Rotary Club of Littleton Presents Third Grade Students With Personal Dictionaries
LITTLETON — Principal Scott Bazydlo is pleased to announce that the Rotary Club of Littleton presented each of the Russell Street School’s third grade students with their own dictionaries last month.
On Wednesday, Sept. 26, Rotary members visited the Russell Street School to continue its annual tradition of presenting dictionaries to third grade students, which it’s done for more than a decade, in cooperation with The Dictionary Project.
The tradition began at Russell Street in 2006 when late Rotary president Don Sturtz proposed bringing The Dictionary Project — which launched in South Carolina in 1995 — to Littleton. Since then, the group has presented more than 1,700 Littleton students with dictionaries.
“We’re so grateful for the Rotary Club’s commitment to this tradition, which provides each of our kids with a valuable resource they they can keep forever,” Principal Bazydlo said.
The dictionary program contributes to one of Rotary’s six core missions, supporting education, and helps contribute to worldwide efforts to promote literacy. Rotary International’s other five areas of focus are promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene, supporting mothers and children, and growing local economies.
The Dictionary Project is a nationwide organization that aims to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary. The dictionaries are a gift to each student to use at school and at home for years to come. Educators see third grade as the dividing line between learning to read and reading to learn, which is why dictionaries are presented to students at that critical point in their school careers.
To learn more about The Dictionary Project, visit www.dictionaryproject.org.
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