Newsletter 2015 November

Dear Mary French,

I became interested in The Dictionary Project through Ormonde and Margaret Smith, who read about it in the Wall Street Journal when they were in their 80’s. The Smiths made it possible for 2300 3rd graders in the Spring Branch ISD in Texas to have their own dictionaries each year for 15 years; and continued to do this well into their 90’s. I was inspired by their energy and dedication. The response of teachers and students to the gift of dictionaries has further inspired me to expand my giving to 2 Houston ISD schools: Briarmeadow, a Charter school, and Sutton Elementary, which last year had seven 3rd grade classes, and this year has nine 3rd grade classes. I don’t know where they put all the students.

Ten years ago, I also started giving dictionaries to parochial schools in the Kerrville area, where the local Rotary Club and the Republican Women alternate years giving dictionaries to the Kerrville ISD third grades. The project then expanded to include Notre Dame Catholic School and 7th Day Adventist School in Kerrville, and Bracken Christian School in Bulverde, Texas. I added Utopia ISD, Junction, and Medina ISD. The teachers grow more enthusiastic as they realize how useful the books are to both students and teachers, how much the children love them, and how the second graders look forward to getting to the 3rd grade when they will get their own dictionary.

It truly gives me hope for the future when I see how eager the 8 year old students are to learn. For many of them, English is a second language, and the dictionary is the only book in their home. I am thankful for the opportunities that The Dictionary Project has given me to have an impact on these young lives.

Blessings,