Briarcliff Rotary Distributes Dictionaries at Todd

The Rotary Club of Briarcliff Manor donated dictionaries to third grade children in the Todd Elementary School in Briarcliff Manor on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013. Rotarian Past Presidents Paul Rosen and Eric Lebenson distributed the dictionaries, inscribed individually with each child's name, at Todd School.

The Briarcliff Rotary Board approved the proposal in December 2012.  Rotarian Rosen, who is a member of the Board and a member of the Club since its inception over 30 years ago, spearheaded the project, arranging for purchase of the dictionaries, individual inscriptions, and coordinating with Todd School officials. The project was in furtherance of Rotary International's focus on enhancing literacy, and met with an enthusiastic welcome from Todd officials and children alike.

"It truly was a great experience for Paul Rosen and me, and it certainly looked like the children appreciated their gifts," said Lebenson. "You could really see the excitement in their eyes, and some of the comments were priceless: 'Now I can learn more about China!'…'There is a whole section on Jamaica!'…'I can really keep it for myself?!'…'This is exciting!'"

Todd Principal Nadine McDermott agreed.

"The children"were very excited and engaged in how they could use the dictionaries," she said.

The individual dictionaries are expected to stimulate curiosity and learning in elementary school children. The Briarcliff Rotary thanks the Todd School officials for their cooperation in this project.