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Without the right tools, becoming a good writer, active reader and critical thinker can be tough. But third-grade students in 6 area schools are getting some help in developing comprehension and communication skills that will serve them the rest of their lives with their own personal dictionaries. The dictionaries provided through this fund include maps, weights and measures, the Constitution and a list of the United States Presidents, along with other data. Working with the Cattaraugus Community Foundation, the Rotary Club of Olean has given to more than 300 third-graders in the county their own dictionaries through the Dictionary Project. The project is part of a national effort to provide all students with a dictionary. “It’s a real pleasure to be able to visit the third graders,” said Doug Price, Rotarian and project coordinator. “They are so excited to receive their own dictionary. It is also very inspiring to see the work our dedicated teachers are doing every day in the classrooms of our local schools,” he noted, adding, “We Rotarians are happy to be able to contribute our time for this worthwhile project and we hope to be able to continue this into the future as well.”
This Project is led by long time Rotarian, Doug Price with assists from Rotarians Alan and Paula Bernstein, Tony Evans, Paul Hessney, Risa Michienzi, Megan Moretz, Theresa Shaffer, Sandy Sleggs, and Jody Spears.
“The whole idea of this project is to instill a love of learning in the children,” said Paula Fidurko Bernstein, Rotary Club president. Rotarians, who have 
spearheaded the project since 2011, were able to present an in-person program at Washington West, East View, Portville, Southern Tier Catholic, and Allegany-Limestone and dropped off at Hinsdale elementary schools during the month of March.
spearheaded the project since 2011, were able to present an in-person program at Washington West, East View, Portville, Southern Tier Catholic, and Allegany-Limestone and dropped off at Hinsdale elementary schools during the month of March. The Dictionary Fund is sustained by donations from the Olean Rotary Club and community members, whose generosity is always appreciated, said Bernstein. Olean Rotary Club Community Improvement Fund includes the Dictionary Fund, this fund also supports Lincoln Park gazebo repairs and renovations and other community projects. For more information and to make a donation to the fund at https://cattfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1196
Photos are from the different schools.