This Fall our Lodge distributed 990 dictionaries to the following 12 schools located in Indian River County.
- Beachland Elementary School
- Citrus Elementary School
- Dodgertown Elementary School
- Glendale Elementary School
- Imagine School at South Vero
- Indian River Academy
- North County Charter
- Osceola Magnet School
- Rosewood Magnet School
- St. Helen School
- St Peter’s Academy
- Vero Beach Elementary School
At virtually all the schools we delivered the dictionaries (A Student’s Dictionary and Gazetteer) at an assembly of third graders. During the first part of the assembly our Lodge members ask the students why we’re giving them a dictionary today. After receiving a number of good answers, we distribute the dictionaries and then conduct a brief overview of the dictionary starting with the Table of Contents and review some of the additional features in the Gazetteer such as the longest word in the English language, the Fifty United States, Sign Language and Braille.
We include in each dictionary a bookmark with a drug awareness message put there by our mascot, Elroy the Elk. We asked that the students read the message about drug awareness and think about what it means to them every time they use the bookmark. After asking the students if they would like to meet our mascot, we then bring out Elroy the Elk to meet the students and to take pictures with them and faculty, creating a memorable impression and excitement about using the dictionary. These photos usually find their way to the school’s Facebook page.
In all, 13 Lodge members were involved in the highly successful dictionary deliveries. A special thanks to Ken Roberts, Lynn Bergeron and Jack Houlihan, PDDGER who alternated playing Elroy the Elk at the assemblies.
Pictured below is Elroy the Elk with students and teacher at Osceola Magnet School.
Submitted by Jim Rannazzisi, PER
Dictionary Project Chairman
