Improving literacy is a very important objective of Rotary.  Up through grade three, children are learning to read.  After grade three, children are reading to learn.  If a child fails to gain competence in reading during the first three grades, the potential for a successful education outcome is greatly diminished.

 ImageLast year the Club’s first Dictionary Project was initiated, and dictionaries were provided to about ½ of the third grade students in the Akron Public School system.  Much was learned from this initial effort. This year under the leadership of Sarah Buccigross, and thanks to the generosity of Akron Rotary Club members, the Akron Rotary Foundation, Kiwanis members, and the Akron Community Foundation, dictionaries will be provided to every third grader in the Akron Public School system.  The distribution is planned for February. It will require volunteers from Rotary and Kiwanis, and will engage the assistance of ACES (an organization of faculty and students at the University of Akron’s College of Education) who will teach a lesson on the use of a dictionary.  We are excited!!!! 

Last summer, under the leadership of Louise Mazur, Rotary volunteers worked with The Salvation Army Imageon a weekly program to improve the reading skills of elementary school students. When school restarted last fall, the volunteers shifted their focus to assisting the students with homework. The tutoring sessions take place most Monday afternoons at the S.A. Citadel.

Keep Akron Beautiful: We plan to support the Beautification Watch Awards Program again this year. ImageVolunteers will be needed to drive specified routes and nominate residences, businesses and organizations for a 2013 award. It takes some time, but it is a lot fun. More on this later!

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