In the multipurpose room Oct. 12 at Meridian Elementary, the excitement was palpable.
The school’s entire third-grade class was quietly abuzz, and all it took was a quick look around the room to know why.
There, on a table near the doorway, sat a large stack of brand-new, colorful dictionaries.
And before the assembly was out, each youngster would bear one of the fat tomes back to class, and then home.
Tuesday was Rotary Dictionary Day, and across the Kent School District, the scene for third-graders in Kent and Covington would be the same.
By day’s end, more than 2,000 free new dictionaries would be handed out, and another year of youngsters would be given a leg up on learning about English.
The three local Rotary branches: Kent Rotary, Kent Rotary-Sunrise and Covington Rotary, teamed up with Kent Kiwanis Noon club to provide the dictionaries. This is the fourth year the free dictionary program has gone to all third-graders in the Kent School District.
Rotarian Marge Williams, who assisted at Meridian’s dictionary giveaway with husband and fellow Rotarian Harry and fellow member Ron Arntson, said the dictionaries, which have lots of colorful illustrations, are a big hit every year.
Noting Kent’s growing population of residents coming from other countries, she said the dictionaries would impact more than just the child to whom they were given.
“They share them with their families – their brothers, sisters and their parents,” she said. “For some of these youngsters, this will be the only English book in their house.”
A note that went to families through the schools also invited parents to enjoy the free gift.
“Please ask your child to show you the book and let them share some of the things they have learned about the new addition, or maybe the first book in their library,” the note said.
The Meridian students quickly lined up to receive their books Tuesday, fairly rushing past as the three Rotarians handed them out, then making haste back to their seats, so they could flip through the books.
The Rotarians made sure they put some fun into the equation, too.
As soon as everyone was seated, the contest began, to see who could look up specific words the fastest. Williams told the group to look up her favorite word: roller coaster.
“I know that!” someone gasped, as everyone leafed frantically through their pages.
Rotary members have been generating this kind of buzz with third graders for a number of years now.
Ralph Horn, one of the organizers of the event, said the Kent Rotary-Sunrise club started a form of the program in 2003, giving dictionaries away to four of the district’s neediest schools. By 2006, he said, local Rotary clubs joined forces on the project, and by 2007, were giving dictionaries away to all of the Kent School District’s third-grade classes.
The number of youngsters varies from year to year, but Horn said it ranges from 1,950 to 2,100 students.
This year 2,052 students each got a free dictionary.
Horn said it’s always uplifting to see their reactions.
“It’s marvelous to see them get energized,” he said.
The books, which cost $10 a piece, mean the project requires funding and lots of elbow grease, to get the books purchased and handed out.
The Rotary clubs have a number of fundraisers through the year to help fund the program, but contributions are welcome.
And while thousands of youngsters have received their dictionaries over the years, the books really are helping one person at a time.
“When I don’t know something, I will look in my dictionary,” said Meridian third-grader Khin La, when asked what she will do with her big, new book.
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