Literacy Day celebrations took on a special meaning for Government primary school students throughout the Cayman Islands yesterday (Tuesday, 8 September, 2015), thanks to a generous donation from local Rotarians.

The Rotary Sunrise Club donated almost 700 illustrated dictionaries for all year-five students.

A special event was held at Bodden Town Primary School (BTPS), where the Club has adopted the library as its special project. The morning readings and presentations involved Education Ministry Councillor Winston Connolly, who is the Sunrise Club’s Past-President, as well as: current President Christina Mathews, Vice President Gina McBryan, Literacy Director Su Mander, Past-President Hendrik van Gendren, Secretary Martha Connolly and Communications Director Patrick Kreitlow.

Also present were BTPS Principal June Elliott and Deputy Principal Kimberly Litrico.

The students read poems and shared writings outlining their thoughts about their communities, which the Councillor promised to share with the district’s MLAs.

Commending all involved in the effort to enhance reading and writing in the school system, Mr. Connolly said, “I was very impressed with the students who presented their pieces. The year five students were poised and very engaging, and events like this remind us how important literacy is to building confidence in our young people.”

Principal June Elliott added, “We at Bodden Town Primary School are very grateful to the Rotary–Sunrise Club for their kind donation of the dictionaries to our year five students. We appreciate their commitment to improving our school library, and anticipate the progress that our students will make in reading as a result of their efforts.”

Acting Chief Education Officer Lyneth Monteith thanked Rotary Sunrise for adopting the BTPS library as a project, and for yesterday’s donations to all primary schools: “The Club’s support with this very important resource will enable students to improve their literacy skills. It is also encouraging to see the students sharing their thoughts about their communities.”