Rotary Club of Houston Delivers Dictionaries to Every Third Grader in HISD

The Rotary Club of Houston has taken its commitment to literacy to the next level. Since launching its participation in The Dictionary Project in 2016, the club has steadily expanded its reach—starting with five schools and now, with the help of generous donor Kandy Kaye Horn, providing a dictionary to every third-grade student in the entire Houston Independent School District (HISD).

The initiative culminated in a meaningful presentation at Franklin Elementary School, where students received their own personal copy of a dictionary—many for the first time.

“If a student has a dictionary and knows how to use it, they have a life skill and a resource to take charge of their own learning,” said Education Technology Specialist Michele Herod. “It speaks to the community’s commitment to HISD, saying ‘Hey, we believe in you and your education.’”

Since 2016, the Rotary Club of Houston has distributed thousands of dictionaries, reinforcing the power of literacy and ensuring that each child has access to a timeless learning tool. Their work exemplifies how community partnerships can scale meaningful impact.