LYNN — The City of Lynn now has a swarm of third graders in possession of dictionaries thanks to the Lynn Rotary Club, Reading Cooperative Bank and McGrath Enterprises.
Wednesday morning, Mayor Jared Nicholson, School Superintendent Molly Cohen, and officers of the Rotary kicked off the distribution alongside the RCB at the Shoemaker School on 26 Regina Road.
This marks the 18th consecutive year that the Lynn Rotary has distributed them. The RCB has been supporting this cause for the last several years. Because of its consistency, not only do the children attend but also their older siblings who have previously experienced the excitement of receiving a gift.
“We appreciate the partnership with the Rotary Club and the companies that helped make this possible,” Nicholson said. “Even in a digital age, there is a role for traditional dictionaries and our students will benefit from using them.”
Since 2008, both organizations have distributed more than 22,000 dictionaries across all Lynn’s 18 public schools and also three private elementary schools including St. Mary’s and North Shore Christian School. Throughout the event, there are roughly 30 people who help give out all 1,300 books. That 30 includes Rotary members, employees of the RCB, employees of the school department, members of the city government, and other civic leaders.
Not only do the children receive a new dictionary, but they have the opportunity to sit in a lesson that teaches proper usage of the book. Cohen, who began her career as a teacher, was back in her element.
“It was gratifying to see the enthusiasm the students showed for receiving this gift,” Cohen said. “We embrace all efforts to promote literacy in our schools.”
Events like these showcase the importance of learning tools in a child’s educational development.
With the uproar of technology, the City of Lynn is prioritizing tangible resources for its students. Many elementary school students have potentially received their first dictionary today or even their first book at all.
It is a tradition that the Rotary Club looks forward to continuing and keeping paramount within the city.
Rotary President Marnie Moore spoke of the role of the service club.
“We love the community, and we want to help in any way we can,” she said.