December 29, 2006

Students at Ida Jew Intermediate School receive dictionaries as
gifts from members of the San Jose East/Evergreen Rotary

By Thom Harney
Staff Writer

Fourth, fifth, and sixth graders were wide-eyed and curious when members of the San Jose East/Evergreen Rotary visited them in their classrooms, and gave them a short pep talk on the value of reading and writing on Dec. 12.

Dictionaries are packed in boxes for delivery to individual classrooms At Ida Jew Intermediate School by (left to right): Nicholas Adams, Public Relations Chair for the Silicon Valley Rotaract Club; George Perez, District Superintendent, Mount Pleasant Elementary School District; Gerda Weber, S.J.E./E. Rotary Member; Yollette Merritt,S.J.E./E. Rotary Member and Chair for the Rotary Dictionary Project; and Norman Robbins, Principal, Ida Jew Intermediate School. Photo by Thom Harney

Students were then told that the key to success in developing skill in reading and writing was to search out the meaning of words through the use of a dictionary, a dictionary that was small enough for them to carry with them as their companion when they were reading and studying, whether they were at home or at school. Students were told to pick the words that they use in writing as a craftsperson picks just the right tool for the job at hand.

One Rotary member added that, "There is a world of difference between the right word, and the nearly right word."

Rotary members are the first to know that "actions speak louder than words." So, at that point, each student was gifted with just such - a Webster’s dictionary to have and to hold as their very own. On the inside cover of each dictionary was pasted a bright yellow nameplate for each of the students to write their names.

In addition, the nameplate also contained the following "Rotary 4-Way Test," which Rotary members the world over use to guide them in making choices in their lives:

"The Rotary 4 – Way Test"

Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Students were also told to remember a basic Rotary Motto: "Lend a hand," so that they will remember to help others who need help.

This distribution of personal dictionaries to the 968 students at Ida Jew Intermediate School in the space of 30 minutes marked the culmination of several months of planning under the joint leadership of Yollette Merritt of both the San Jose East Evergreen Rotary Club and the Community Arts and History Support; George Perez, District Superintendent of the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District, who is also a member of the S.J.E./E. Rotary Club, and Norman Robbins, Principal of Ida Jew Intermediate School.

The Dictionary Project was jointly funded by the Mt. Pleasant ElementarySchool District, the Community Arts and History Support ( a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, and the San Jose East/Evergreen Rotary Club. It is a sterling example of what positive goals can be reached when community organizations and school districts and schools work together.

Principal Norman Robbins later said, "The feedback from both the students and teachers was very, very positive. Students were leaving school proudly saying things like, ‘Look what I got today!’"