Smyrna Rotary Provides 955 Dictionaries to 3rd Graders

4/2016 - On October 29, 30 and November 4, 2015, Smyrna Rotary Club presented 480 new dictionaries to all Third Graders at Smyrna Elementary, King Springs Elementary and Teasley Elementary. In late January and in February 2016, Smyrna Rotary presented 475 more dictionaries for International Academy of Smyrna (120), Nickajack Elementary (240) and Russell Elementary (115) totaling 955 dictionaries for the entire project. ALL Smyrna area elementary schools were thus covered by the Smyrna Rotary Club’s Third Grade Dictionary project.

We had almost full participation from Smyrna Rotarians in the placing of the stickers in the dictionaries at two or three luncheons. We also had many Rotarians present the dictionaries at the six schools.

The students and teachers were so grateful. Said Smyrna Elementary teacher Abby M. Sandlin:

The students LOVED having their very own new dictionaries! They didn't want to put them down when we got to class and were really excited to be surprised with a brand new dictionary. Many students don't have dictionaries at home, so this was a really exciting experience for them. The teachers did lessons directly related to dictionary skills so students could understand how to use their new dictionaries.

Most Rotarians participated in some way, adding Donated by Smyrna Rotary/4 Way Test labels in the dictionaries and/or presenting to the kids and telling them about Rotary. Now three other elementary schools have requested dictionaries for their Third Graders. Thanks to Gipson’s hard work, all Smyrna schools have been contacted. “Our dictionary project is one of the many ways Smyrna Rotarians make a difference in our community and the world,” adds Gipson, herself a former Principal.

“It’s always a joy to give back to our local community,” said President-Elect Don Parkerson, “but when it is for children, that project takes on a special significance.”

Club President Narayan Sengupta says, “These kids are Smyrna’s future, and it’s our job to do all that we can for them. In just over a year, thanks to the District and our Club, we have funded two grants at Griffin Middle School and Teasley Elementary for $8,000 in robotics and science kits. We have participated in Read Across America Day and two Career Days and funded scholarships, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Golden Quill and Laws of Life programs. We have donated several hundred books and magazines to the Smyrna Jail and, teaming with East Cobb Rotary, South Cobb Rotary and Marietta Metro Rotary, donated about 1,000 more to the Cobb Jail.”

Smyrna Rotary is always looking for the community's business and service leaders. For more information about the club or membership, please email f12@nfiweb.com.

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