CALIFORNIA DICTIONARY PROJECT DISTRIBUTES DICTIONARY TO EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL THIRD GRADER IN OAKLAND

Local Non-Profit Targets Oakland Schools for First Round of Statewide Dictionary Distribution Effort Intended to Improve Literacy Rates

Oakland, Calif., October 3, 2002 - The California Dictionary Project (www.californiadictionaryproject.org), a non-profit organization aimed at donating and distributing a dictionary annually to every third grade student in California’s public school system, announced the launch of its first round of dictionary distributions to all third grade pubic school students in Oakland. Teaming with OUSD Superintendent Dennis Chaconas and Oakland Heroes, the CDP will kick off its efforts tomorrow, Friday, October 4th at Fruitvale Elementary School in Oakland, California, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. 6000 students will receive dictionaries distributed by 120 volunteers from the Oakland community. Volunteers will include employees from the Golden State Warriors, City of Oakland, Oakland Police Department, Oakland Fire Department, Americorps (Learning for Life), Safe Passages, Port of Oakland, US Coast Guard, SBC Pacific Bell, APL, and Sylvan Learning Centers.

The project, whose goal is to eventually distribute a dictionary to all of California’s third grade students, hopes to encourage overall educational development of California students while improving the state’s below-average literacy rates. Touting the motto, "Today a reader, tomorrow a leader," the CDP views dictionaries as perhaps the first and most powerful reference and active educational tool that a child should own.

"The usefulness of a dictionary goes beyond spelling, pronunciations and definitions. It is a companion for solving problems that arise as a child develops his or her reading, writing and creative thinking abilities," said Mark Robinson, president of the California Dictionary Project. "By exposing children to dictionaries, the CDP encourages this critical first step."

Founded and sponsored by an independent group of volunteers and entrepreneurs, mainly professionals from the legal, financial and technology fields, the CDP runs efficiently, mirroring the business model of a start-up. Ninety-nine cents of every dollar donated is used directly to purchase paperback dictionaries that are then given to students in California’s public schools.

"It’s inspiring to see local community groups unite and invest their time and money in our students," said Dennis Chaconas, superintendent of Oakland Unified School District. "By donating and distributing a dictionary to each of our 6000 third grade students, the CDP has helped to empower the young minds of our future."

The distribution also incorporates a short interactive training session to encourage students and teachers to integrate the use of the dictionary into their regular curriculum and ongoing educational activities.

"Whenever possible, the CDP partners with local volunteer literacy tutoring groups and other service organizations to distribute the dictionaries during classroom visits," said Donna Russell, director of Oakland Heroes, the volunteer placement program for the Oakland Unified School District.

The founders of the CDP were inspired to create the organization as a result of the work by Mary French, a South Carolina woman that began a non-profit to buy dictionaries for every third grade student (www.dictionaryproject.org). Her efforts have been the basis of similar programs in more than forty states.

"I started the Dictionary Project with the idea that dictionaries help increase a students’ self-reliance and resourcefulness. I wanted to provide students with a tangible tool to aid them throughout their educational careers," said Mary French, founder of the Dictionary Project. "I am happy that the California Dictionary Project has been able to share in my vision, and extend the project into the state of California."

As funding for the organization grows, the CDP will expand to the rest of the San Francisco bay area and beyond.

About The California Dictionary Project

The California Dictionary Project (CDP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving literacy in California’s public schools, one child at a time. With the motto "Today a reader, tomorrow a leader," CDP works with volunteer organizations and individuals to distribute free dictionaries annually to third graders during classroom visits. Operating revenues to run California Dictionary Project come mainly from charitable donors committed to encouraging literacy in California’s public elementary schools. In addition to cash donations, the organization seeks national and local sponsors, corporate grants, endowments and gifts-in-kind.

For more information, please visit the www.californiadictionaryproject.org, or contact Barry Graynor at (415) 693-2136.