CALIFORNIA DICTIONARY PROJECT DONATES A DICTIONARY TO EVERY THIRD GRADER IN THE SAN JOSE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Bay Area Non-Profit Organization Furthers Its Vision of Improving The Literacy Of California's School-Age Population

Oakland, Calif., March 13, 2003 - 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, today announced the donation of dictionaries to every San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD) third grader. California Dictionary Project will kick off its distribution of 4,000 dictionaries tomorrow, Friday, March 14th at Gardner Elementary School in San Jose, California, from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

The San Jose distribution will cover 30 elementary schools and 171 third grade classrooms, and will include the circulation of English and Spanish/English dictionaries. Supporting the California Dictionary Project will be Superintendent Dr. Linda T. Murray, Congresspersons Mike Honda and Zoe Lofgren, Vice Mayor Pat Dando, Assembly Member Rebecca Cohn, and City Councilwoman Judy Chirco as well as SJUSD corporate volunteers from Apple, IBM, Intel, Adobe and Applied Materials. Financial backers include Community Foundation Silicon Valley and Juniper Networks.

Touting the motto, "Today a reader, tomorrow a leader," the California Dictionary Project views dictionaries as perhaps the first and most powerful reference and active educational tool that a child should own. Across California, 53 percent of third graders currently read below national grade level. The California Dictionary Project believes that by reaching children early, providing them with tools (dictionaries), personalizing the delivery (volunteers from the local community) and teaching them how to use those tools (presentations and teacher lesson plans), they can grow "readers."

"A dictionary is an investment in the future of each third grader we reach. The response from the kids to date has been overwhelming and suggests that we can start making an impact on learning one step at a time with simple tools and a fun, interactive atmosphere," said Mark Robinson, founder and president of California Dictionary Project.
Founded and sponsored by an independent group of volunteers and entrepreneurs, mainly professionals from the legal, financial and technology fields, the California Dictionary Project 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.

"We're thrilled to be a part of this ambitious effort to provide resources for our students to engage in additional language learning," said SJUSD Superintendent Dr. Linda T. Murray. "We appreciate the time and dedication of the California Dictionary Project and the volunteers and donors who are making this an enjoyable and fulfilling experience for the children."

"Education is one of the Community Foundation's five focus areas for grant making. We place a special emphasis on Early Literacy, with the goal of having every child reading at grade-level by third grade, "said Terrie Lind, Director of Programs and Evaluation for the Community Foundation. "Providing children with their own dictionaries gives them a resource for future academic success. So many children in our community do not have the access to such resources at home, which is why the Community Foundation was pleased to provide funding for this program."

During a typical classroom visit, volunteers present the dictionaries to each third grade class during a 20 - 30 minute interactive session designed to encourage class participation in referencing dictionary words. Each student is encouraged to personalize his/her dictionary and to develop the habit of marking each word that is looked up to track usage. A couple of quick word games are incorporated to get the students excited about using the dictionaries, using the maxim "just look it up."
California Dictionary Project originated after its founders were impassioned by an article in the Wall Street Journal about the experiences of Mary French, a South Carolina woman that began a charity organization to buy dictionaries for third grade students. Inspired by French's efforts, similar programs have been developed in more than forty states.
The project recently completed its first dictionary distribution. On October 4th, 2002, 6000 third grade students in the Oakland Unified School District received dictionaries. More than 120 volunteers presented dictionaries during 180 classroom visits.

About The California Dictionary Project

The California Dictionary Project 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," California Dictionary Project 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 www.californiadictionaryproject.org, or contact Barry Graynor at (415) 693-2136.

About HEROES

HEROES (Helpers Engaged in Reaching Oakland’s Excelling Schools) is the volunteer placement program for the Oakland Unified School District.  Its mission is to enhance the positive development and quality of educational experience for students in the Oakland public schools by encouraging and promoting volunteerism in the community.  The HEROES program recruits, trains and supports volunteers assisting in Oakland schools.

For more information, see www.oaklandheroes.org, or contact Donna Russell, Director, at (510) 879-2908