Dictionary Presentation a Tradition for Olathe's Fourth-Graders

Jan. 24, 2012 ~ Tens of thousands of Olathe students have received a new dictionary when they reached fourth grade, thanks to the Olathe Noon Optimist Club and financial sponsors like the family of Doris and Irwin Poland.

The tradition that has spanned more than 20 years also involves fourth-grade teacher Mindy Fitzsimons making an offer to her students. If they bring their dictionary to her when they graduate from high school, she will give them a new dictionary for college.

"Throughout the years I've purchased about 10 dictionaries for graduates," said the Clearwater Creek Elementary teacher. "They'll come to me and say, 'I still have my dictionary, Mrs. Fitz'."

The Noon Optimists give dictionaries to fourth-graders in public, private, parochial and home-school settings.

"We try to give one to all fourth-graders in the city," member Doug Sutton said.

The commitment to distribute dictionaries is made possible by contributions from businesses and individuals, like Noon Optimist Mike Poland and his brothers who wanted to honor their parents.

"My dad was a charter member of the Optimist Club in Olathe," Poland said. "This program epitomizes what the Optimist Club stands for and we could think of no better way of serving children and honoring our parents in a single program.

"When I help with the presentations, the kids provide all the thanks I need: hugs, smiles and calling me 'Dictionary Dude'," Poland said.

Noon Optimist Club President Diane Gossage said many members ask students to look up a few words when the dictionaries are first presented.

The reference books include a list of Roman numerals, information about weights and measures, and a list of the longest words.

"This is valuable to our curriculum," Fitzsimons said.

(Top photo: Students began collaborating to find new words just a few minutes after receiving their dictionaries from the Olathe Noon Optimist Club. Lower photo: Fourth-grade teacher Mindy Fitzsimons watches as her students point out an interesting word to Optimist Doug Sutton who made the dictionary presentation.)

Photos by Marlene Colgan