A vocabulary and reading program run through the Elmbrook Rotary Club will donate dictionaries and picture dictionaries to Capitol West Academy students on Monday, Feb. 1.
The program, called Diane’s Dictionaries, was created by the husband and daughters of Brookfield woman Diane James who died in 2009. The program’s goal is to encourage children to get interested in vocabulary and reading.
“My wife was a great reader,” said Barry James. “And we are giving dictionaries to young people to encourage them to read and learn words.”
Capitol West Academy, located at 3939 N 88th St. is a charter school in northwest Milwaukee. It was the first school to participate in the program seven years ago. Barry James personally delivers each donated dictionary to students.
First graders at Capitol West will get a picture dictionary and fourth graders will get a dictionary.
“Parents have told us how valuable the dictionaries are, along with our focus on literacy,” said Donna Niccolai-Weber, executive director of Capitol West Academy. “Many of our families do not have a lot of discretionary money, so it helps to have a donated dictionary. Plus, the event with Mr. James helps make learning fun.”
