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Rotary
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District 5730
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Rotary Readers Literacy Program
Metropolitan Lubbock Rotary Club has focused for many years on literacy in our
community. Our club has partnered with Lubbock Independent School District in
our Rotary Readers Literacy Program for a long time. At the close of the school
year last May, Metro received recognition from the Lubbock ISD for our service
in this area of education.
For many years we have taken a “hands on” approach with our program at Dupre
Elementary School, the oldest elementary school in Lubbock. Our literacy program
is multi-faceted. On the second Thursday of each month 15-20 of our members
arrive to the school at 7:15 am to listen to and help the children in the 2nd
and 3rd grade classes read. To encourage the students to attend our program with
regularity, we have an award system. After attending the reading sessions 4
times, the student is awarded our Rotary Readers T-shirt. We have also awarded
these students Rotary Reader back packs which many of them carry to school. At
the end of the school year, each student involved in the program is given 3
books of their very own. We have found that the books which are gifted to many
of these students are the first ones they have owned.
We also partner in Rotary Readers with Miller Girls, a service organization at
Texas Tech University. Two of the focuses of Miller Girls is community and
literacy. This organization also partners with us in our fund raising efforts
each year. Depending on their schedules we have up to 15 girls participating
with us. We feel like they are such a good influence on the students and add
depth to our program.
Metro also contributes over 50 books each year to the Dupre Elementary Library.
We present 4-5 books to the Library each month in honor of each speaker we have
during our club meeting. We ask our speakers to sign, date and include their
vocation on our specially designed book label. This year 2 of the books were
signed by our Rotary Club members during our Club Assemblies and presented in
honor of all the hours of volunteerism they have given to the program over the
years.
Our Rotary Reader flyers are placed on the walls of the school to promote our
program and to remind parents of the importance of reading with their children.
We present this ongoing program for consideration as Rotary District 5730
Outstanding Project. We believe this project not only offers the opportunity for
community service but also presents the additional opportunity to partner with a
service organization at Texas Tech University in making a difference in the area
of literacy in Lubbock. Reading is the key to understanding for these young
people, and our club is dedicated to making a difference. Rotary Readers also
provides an additional venue for club fellowship and promotes a very positive
and public awareness of Rotary.
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