Dextra Hadnot, AT&T Wisconsin Director of Government Affairs and a local Pioneer is pictured above as more than 100 dictionaries were distributed to third graders at Milwaukee Public Schools’ Golda Meir School as part of their 8th Annual “Dictionaries for Success” project.
Over 100 third graders from Milwaukee Public Schools’ Golda Meir School received their own personal dictionaries from the AT&T Wisconsin Pioneers this week as part of a statewide project designed to help improve childhood literacy and student reading scores.
“Today’s event provided an exciting introduction to our 3rd grade students about the many uses of a dictionary,” said Michelle Carter, principal of Golda Meir.
“Dictionaries can serve as wonderful educational tools that they can use throughout their academic careers.”
During the event, local AT&T Pioneers showed the students what information they can find in the dictionary and explained how the dictionary will be a lifelong learning tool that will help them in their academic and work careers.
They also demonstrated how the books can be used to learn vocabulary development, word pronunciation, the different meanings of words, and how to compare and contrast words.
“Having a good vocabulary gives one the ability to communicate more precisely,” said State Rep. Leon Young (D-Milwaukee).
“Thus, it makes perfect sense to encourage students to utilize a dictionary because it not only expands their vocabulary, but strengthens their communication toolbox as well.”
The AT&T Wisconsin Pioneers are donating 1,660 dictionaries to students in 28 Milwaukee County schools as part of their 8th annual “Dictionaries for Success” program.
Over 8,500 total dictionaries are being provided to students at more than 130 schools statewide.
The Pioneers are a local organization of AT&T employees and retirees who are dedicated to volunteering their time to various community causes.
Schools in Milwaukee, Brookfield, Watertown, Waukesha, Muskego, Oconomowoc, Cudahy, Green Bay and Eau Claire are among the schools that are receiving donated dictionaries from the Pioneers this year.
“At AT&T, we are committed to helping advance the education of our young people,” said Dextra Hadnot, AT&T Wisconsin Director of Government Affairs and a local Pioneer.
“We are proud to partner with Golda Meir School to provide our students with the tools they need to become our future leaders.”