Community volunteers from the Rotary Club of Pearlridge visited Momilani Elementary School in Pearl City on Thursday, March 28 to present 64 third grade students and their teachers with free dictionaries.
Thursday's presentation completed the annual commitment by the Rotary Club of Pearlridge to provide third grade students representing five elementary schools in Pearl City and Aiea with free dictionaries through the Rotary Dictionary 5000 Project. A total of 323 students and 15 teachers received free dictionaries.
Elementary Schools that participated in the 2013 Rotary Dictionary 5000 Project:
Waiau Elementary
Webling Elementary
Lehua Elementary
Palisades Elementary
Momilani Elementary
The Rotary Club of Pearlridge also awards a $100 savings bond to one boy and one girl that best exemplifies Rotary International's "Service Above Self" and the Principles of the "Four Way Test".
1. Is it the truth;
2. Is it fair to all concerned,
3. Will it bring good will and better friendships
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned.
Each dictionary includes the "Four Way Test" which is attached to the inside cover for the third grade students to follow.
Momilani Elementary School Principal Mrs. Doreen Higa, who is also a current Rotary Club of Pearlridge Board Member and former club President (2011-2012) played an instrumental role in arranging the five school visits and dictionary presentations.
"The great thing about the dictionary program is it’s educational and it supports what happens in the classroom and because it’s personalized," said Principal Higa. " Each child has a gift from the Rotary and they really treasure it. But alongside with that, the expectation that they must exhibit the characteristics of the Four Way Test is something that, as Principal of this school, I'm really happy about because we want our children to grow up being great citizens."
"Now with the incentive of the savings bond, one boy and one girl, what will happen is that they'll start exemplifying those behaviors so that they can be the one chosen. So it’s a great thing, and I think it’s good for them to know, at third grade, how important it is to be a good citizen."
Rotary Club of Pearlridge member and former club President Clifton Yasutomi helped with coordinating the school visits and also led a couple of the dictionary presentations which included Thursday's Momilani Elementary School visit. Yasutomi commented on seeing the benefits each third grade student will experience with their new dictionaries and the value of living by the meaning of the Four Way Test.
"It's good to catch the kids at an early age and to sow into them a useful tool that they will be able to use throughout their school years," said Yasutomi. " It's something that they will remember Rotary by and its powerful that we could impart to them the Four Way Test. Hopefully it resonates with them to live by those rules."
Mahalo to Momilani Elementary School third grade teachers Ms. Leona Uyesato and Mr. Masaru Uchino for welcoming the Pearlridge Rotarians to their classrooms. Also, to the terrific third grade students for the wonderful Thank You card.
Mahalo to Ms. Lenora Okubo for providing refreshments and gifts!
A very special mahalo to Principal Higa. You are truly appreciated for all that you do for your students, staff, and Momilani Elementary School Ohana. Also for you dedication to the community while representing Rotary International's "Service Above Self" and the Principles of the "Four Way Test".
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Principal Higa presents one of her third grade students with a brand
new dictionary that was donated by the Rotary Club of Pearlridge.
Pearlridge Rotarian Jeff Oya looks over the list of students who will
be called to pick up their dictionaries as well.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Pearlridge Rotarian Clifton Yasutomi served as the lead presenter on
Thursday, March 28, 2013 at Momilani Elementary School in Pearl City.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Ms. Leona Uyesato helps one of her students look up a word and definition.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Mr. Masaru Uchino had fun helping his students look up specific words
in their new dictionaries.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Happy smiles from a couple third graders after receiving their new dictionaries.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
(From left to right) Mr. Masaru Uchino, Ed Kido, Principal Mrs. Doreen Higa,
Clifton Yasutomi ( holding Mahalo Card from students), Jeff Oya, and
Ms. Leona Uyesato.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Mahalo Card that was presented to the Pearlridge Rotarians from the
entire third grade class at Momilani Elementary School..