There are many December traditions. Tree decorating, menorah lighting, festive food sampling and multi celebration singing. For The Tualatin Rotary Club, December has always involved dictionaries.
For years, every third grade student in Tualatin, has been gifted a dictionary by Rotary. The books are ordered and given dedication plates. They are then delivered to each elementary school by members of the club. Students are invited to an interactive dictionary class. Fun challenges are given to help students find words and other information. Giggles overwhelm the students when they are directed to the longest word in the English language. Eight and nine year old students are given a “rite of passage” reward. As experienced readers, they are now ready for the great book that will increase their vocabulary and introduce them to the wide world of words.
This December is different. Due to COVID, students are not physically in school buildings. The dictionary delivery tradition has been placed on hold until students are back in class. A long time Rotary tradition seemed interrupted until a phone called changed everything….