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Local Rotary Club gives dictionaries to Bourbon County third-graders
The Fort Scott Rotary Club recently completed its 10th year participating in the third-grade dictionary distribution project.
Rotarian Ken Lyon, the club's project officer, said 214 personalized dictionaries were presented to all third- grade students and their teachers in the five Bourbon County schools.
He was assisted in the presentations by fellow Rotarians Darlene Doherty and Phil Hammons.
The idea of the Dictionary Project began in 1992 in Georgia and a nonprofit association was established in 1995. Since then, the program has expanded to include all 50 states and 18 other countries with various service organizations participating in the program. To date, more than 18 million students nationwide have received a dictionary, thanks to participating sponsors.
Lyon said the project is one of the club's most important since third grade is when students begin learning the skills of reading, writing, spelling and pronunciation. He feels that the dictionary is invaluable in developing these skills and will be used throughout their lives.
Lyon also points out that the books are more than just dictionaries; they're also part atlas and world almanac providing a wealth of information about the United States, other countries, the presidents and many other useful facts.
Lyon said the students are always enthusiastic when receiving their dictionaries and the teachers appreciate having them as learning tools in their classrooms.
He added that he's often approached and thanked for the dictionaries when students sees him in the community.
Further information on the Dictionary Project may be found at: http://www.dictionaryproject.org/.
