San Mateo Rotarians Donate Dictionaries to Third Graders

The San Mateo Rotary Club and Bayside S.T.E.M. ACADEMY Student Council teamed up this holiday season to donate hundreds of dictionaries to local students.

The Rotary Club donated a record 442 dictionaries to third grade students at College Park, Fiesta Gardens, Horrall, North Shoreview and Parkside Elementary Schools.

"Students were alternately awed, excited, and giggling as the Rotary and STEM team entertained and encouraged students to learn many new words each week," a statement from the San Mateo-Foster City School District reported.

Rotarians Tom Thompson, Rosemary Azum, Martin Harband, and Ron Borelli lead the dictionary handout with the school team.

The happy entourage included singers and Student Council officers from Bayside STEM, President Sean Radam, Vice President Henry McNamara, Secretary Glyniss McNamara, and Secretary Tiana Periera.

The STEM school leaders are also talented singers, and sang as Rotarian Ron Borelli played the accordion.

Third graders had the unique experience of hearing "Jingle Words, jingle words, jingle all the way...." to the tune of Jingle Bells.

STEM Principal Elliott said in a statement, “This holiday event is one of S.T.E.M.’s favorites and it provides a way to partner with our elementary schools and with our Rotary community leaders. What fun!”

Get the latest news from San Mateo:

• Sign up for the San Mateo Patch daily newsletter
• Blog for San Mateo Patch
• "Like" San Mateo Patch on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter @SanMateoPatch

Get the latest news from Foster City:

• Sign up for the Foster City Patch daily newsletter
• Blog for Foster City Patch
• "Like" Foster City Patch on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter @FosterCityPatch