March 4, 2008

A love of literacy

CUSD presents ‘Love of Literacy, Dictionary Day 2008’ to local third graders

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Editor

Reading just became a whole lot easier for Campbell Unified School District’s third grade students.

Capri Elementary School third grader Jason Tse is excited about the new dictionary he received on CUSD “Love of Literacy” day. Campbell City Councilmember Dan Furtado taught Tse’s class how to use the dictionary and they responded by having him autograph their new dictionaries afterwards. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone

And how fitting that on Valentines Day CUSD and community volunteers presented dictionaries to over 800 third graders during the district’s second annual “Love of Literacy” Dictionary Day. The event is one of several “College Going Culture” activities the district has planned throughout the year.

“Research shows that third grade is a pivotal year for students to understand the value of learning and how it will affect their entire lives,” said CUSD communications specialist Marla Sanchez Olszewski. “With more vocabulary students are more likely to engage in discussion regarding higher education and more likely to want to attend college.”

“We believe that if we provide young students with tools, personalize their delivery, teach them how to use those tools and encourage the “Love of Literacy” within our students we can promote in them a life-long love of reading and learning,” added Olsezewski.

With Dictionary Day, CUSD and primary sponsor Assistance League [AL] and contributors Campbell Education Foundation, Califor-nia Dictionary Project, Starlight Chapter, San Jose Order of Eastern Star and volunteer presenters reach out to children early to promote a love of words and of learning. The program targets third graders because research shows that the more vocabulary a child acquires, the more likely their interest in attending college.

“This is a great day,” said Capri Elementary School Principal David Wilce. “The kids are really excited about Dictionary Day. One parent told me her child wanted to look her best. And it’s nice that it is third grade, better sooner rather than later.”

Terri Spice, president of the local chapter of the Assistance League, helps a student use the new dictionary he just received.  The Assistance League donated $2,500 to provide more than 1,000 dictionaries to Campbell Union School District’s third graders. Photo by Marla Sanchez Olszewski

Wilce greeted guest presenters Campbell Councilmember Dan Furtado, CUSD Superintendent Johanna VanderMolen, Elizabeth Rhein from the California Dictionary Project, Assistance League President Terri Spice and other AL members as well as volunteers from CUSD and other groups. But their responsibilities started long before the Love of Literacy day. The Assistance League purchased the 1,400 English and 400 Spanish dictionaries and also provided canvas bags for the teachers. On Dictionary Day, their responsibilities included passing out the books and teaching CUSD third graders about the dictionaries during a class period.

“This is a very worthwhile cause,” said Furtado who taught Capri teacher Lorena Anaya’s third grade class. “I think when a different person comes into to teach, it reinforces the importance of the subject. I taught last year and the students were very excited about their new dictionaries and had lots of questions. They really appreciate that the dictionary is theirs to keep.”

California Dictionary Project’s mission is to donate and distribute dictionaries annually to third-graders in California public schools. Currently they are concentrating on 16 Bay Area school districts but would like to expand through all of California.

“This is the second year we have brought dictionaries to CUSD,” said Rhein. “Third grade is a good time for children to receive dictionaries by California state standards. They can read and understand how to use one. The first thing we do is have the kids write their name in the book so they know it is theirs to keep. I love to do this and I’m so grateful to the teachers.”

Dictionary Day is one of CUSD “College Going Culture” activities planned this year with many of the presenters wearing items from their college alma maters. In total, 807 CUSD third graders at nine schools received dictionaries with the help of 65 volunteers.

“Thank you for all your support,” said CUSD Dictionary Day Coordinator Blesilda Ilano-Tenorio. “We can’t do it alone. This is a critical time for kids—to tune in or turn out. They decide who they will become. What better way to celebrate Valentines’ Day than with a love of literacy.”