Celebrating literacy and learning in our communities
Thursday, Oct. 10, was a special day for a group of excited Iola-Scandinavia third graders — they received a gift that will last for years: the gift of words! Thanks to our club’s participation in the Rotary Dictionary Project, each student was handed their very own dictionary to use both at school and at home. These dictionaries aren’t just books; they’re tools to help our young learners blossom into strong writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners.
The Dictionary Project is a nationwide effort, and here in our community, we’re proud to be part of it. Educators often say that third grade is when children switch from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” That’s why we make it a tradition to give dictionaries to every third grader—so they have the words they need to explore, discover, and grow.
And it is most appropriate to hand out the dictionaries in October because Oct. 16 is National Dictionary Day!
Our Mission and Vision
Our mission is simple: to support students as they build vital communication skills and make the most of their education. Each year, our club aims to provide a personalized dictionary to every third grader in our service area. We hope this small gift opens up a world of learning for each child, especially those who may not have many resources at home or for whom English is a second language.
Nothing beats the smiles we see when the kids realize that the book is theirs to keep. Club members add a personal note of encouragement in each dictionary and then deliver them in person to classrooms. There’s even a fun tradition: students are invited to pick a word to look up and use in a sentence, which their teachers then share with us. It’s always a joy to see the creativity and excitement these new dictionaries inspire!
Supporting Literacy and Education
Our club funds this project through popular events like Rocktoberfest and Casino Royale. Over the years, we’ve distributed more than 3,000 dictionaries to third graders in Iola-Scandinavia, Waupaca, Weyauwega-Fremont, and local private schools. We also make sure our public libraries have copies for homeschooled students.
Supporting education is at the heart of what we do. Through scholarships and programs like the Dictionary Project, we strive to empower students to succeed, inspire innovation, and foster a lifelong love of learning.
Thank you to all our members and sponsors who make this project possible. Together, we’re not just giving out books — we’re opening doors to the future!