March into Literacy Month…A Fundamental Skill for Success
By Clark Mershon, District Chair Literacy | Gladstone Rotary Club
During his reign as the 2009-2010 Rotary International President, John Kenny commented, “If Rotary is to stay relevant in the 21st century, it must work to improve access to clean water, combat hunger, and expand literacy.” With March being “Literacy Month”, this article will focus on a brief overview of national trends as it relates to literacy (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). I have also included some great examples from our various Rotary Clubs in District 6040 on ways they are supporting literacy.
By Clark Mershon, District Chair Literacy | Gladstone Rotary Club
During his reign as the 2009-2010 Rotary International President, John Kenny commented, “If Rotary is to stay relevant in the 21st century, it must work to improve access to clean water, combat hunger, and expand literacy.” With March being “Literacy Month”, this article will focus on a brief overview of national trends as it relates to literacy (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). I have also included some great examples from our various Rotary Clubs in District 6040 on ways they are supporting literacy.
Recently, 46 states, including Missouri, adopted a set of common standards for all schools. The standards are consistent and designed to be “robust and relevant to the real world reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers in a global economy.” (
http://www.corestandards.org/) The new set of standards will require a shift in focus from high school completion to college and career readiness for all students. The new standards emphasize comprehending complex texts, writing in response to texts, conducting and reporting on research, language and grammar skills, speaking and listening.
In order for our future leaders to participate fully in society and compete globally in the workplace, a renewed emphasis on literacy is critical. If not, the greatest democracy in the history of mankind will begin to collapse. As Nelson Mandela stated, "No country can succeed if its future leaders are not educated.”
“In 1985, Rotary declared basic literacy to be a pre-condition to the development of peace.” Follow this link Rotary Literacy - Rotary International Rotary also provides examples of exemplary projects that promote basic education and literacy. For more information follow this link See a gallery of Rotary projects promoting basic education and literacy
We also have many examples of outstanding literacy projects right here in District 6040. Here are a few projects as we celebrate National March into Literacy Month.
Unionville Rotary Club (Submitted by Jeremy Watt): Our Club has supplied dictionaries each year for third grade students at Putnam County Elementary School for the past several years. We have also worked with a nearby publisher to donate books at various local events.
Gallatin Rotary Club (Submitted by Joseph Billings): The Rotary Club of Gallatin started an initiative in 2011 to encourage higher literacy in its rural community in Daviess County. With literacy rates lower than some parts of Missouri, the Club sought to help parents and homeschoolers in their area.
At the Gallatin Chautauqua last September, the Gallatin Rotary Club ran a booth on the city square offering free books to children. The event was made possible through the help of the Daviess County Library and a donation from Gumdrop Books. Hundreds of books were distributed at the event.
A tool of interest that was also identified by the Club is the Acellus Learning System (http://www.science.edu) provided by the Missouri-based International Academy of Science. Through a fully funded donation by the family of a local Rotary member, the Acellus Remedial Reading and Adolescent Reading programs have recently been made available to kids in the Gallatin area through both the local school district and the local library. The participants are hoping to see the high levels of improvement that have been reported by other Acellus users.
The literacy initiative at the Gallatin Rotary Club is ongoing. The Club hopes to continue in its close partnership with the Daviess County Library to promote reading and all the doors of opportunity that this important skill opens.
Smithville Rotary Club (Submitted by Steve Wolcott): Six Rotarians distributed dictionaries to all Third Graders in the Smithville School District on Thursday, February 23, 2012. Approximately 178 books were distributed and the balance of the remaining box of dictionaries was left with the Upper Elementary Principal for any new students the balance of the school year.
Cameron Rotary Club (Submitted by Gary Forbes): The Cameron Rotary club distributed dictionaries and vocabulary builder books to 3 and 7 graders. The books also had the Rotary emblem and nameplate label inside.
Liberty Rotary Club (Submitted by Shawn Garland): In Liberty we deliver dictionaries to all 3rd graders in our school district. We do a presentation in front of each class and teach them how to use their dictionaries. The books become their personal dictionaries that they may use at home or school.
Lee’s Summit Rotary Club (Submitted by Dayton Runkle): Our club has been active with the literacy projects. We collected books and money (325+ books at a value of over $2500) that was used to improve the libraries of four Lee's Summit elementary schools. Our club purchases a book weekly to donate to the Great Beginnings Early Childhood Center in recognition of the speaker or program for the week.
Kansas City Rotary Club (Club 13) (Submitted by Jane Lee):
Dictionary Project In the fall, volunteers help distribute grade-appropriate dictionaries/reference books to more than 1,500 third graders in 25-28 Kansas City-area schools on both the Missouri and Kansas sides. Volunteers, usually in teams of two, make presentations to these classrooms, teaching the children how to use the dictionaries. With the dictionaries, we also distribute pens emblazoned with the Rotary of Kansas City name to help promote our club and link us to the dictionaries. We work with the Dictionary Project of Kansas City, the organization that provides the dictionaries and assigns schools.
Literacy Kansas City Corporate Spelling Bee A spelling team from Club 13 participates in the city-wide Literacy Kansas City Corporate Spelling Bee. To raise the $3,000 entry fee, the Literacy Committee hosts a "Spell-Off" party where those interested compete for a place on the four-member spelling team that represents our club. Those attending are charged $100 (for two persons) for the buffet and chance to compete. Last year we raised $3,700, a total of $700 over the fee. All went to Literacy Kansas City. Literacy Kansas City offers a variety of adult literacy programs aimed at different populations.
Congratulations on a job well done. To the 56 clubs in District 6040, let’s continue to find creative ways to “March into Literacy”.