Northside third-graders receive reference book from local club

October 19, 2021 at 8:32 a.m.

by Michael Eckels

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Karen McAuley demonstrates the proper way to use a dictionary to Leslie Thompson's third grade class at Northside Elementary in Decatur Sept. 30. McAuley's organization, Altrusa International of Benton County, handed out dictionaries to both third grade classes at Northside as a reference guide for future studies.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Karen McAuley demonstrates the proper way to use a dictionary to Leslie Thompson's third grade class at Northside Elementary in Decatur Sept. 30. McAuley's organization, Altrusa International of Benton County, handed out dictionaries to both third grade classes at Northside as a reference guide for future studies.

DECATUR -- When Samuel Johnson Jr. published his first English dictionary in America in 1798, he set off a chain of publications that eventually included one of the most famous writers, Noah Webster. Webster published the most comprehensive reference guide in 1809 that is still used today. One Northwest Arkansas group recently visited a local school to hand out this most widely used reference guide in the world.

Karen McAuley, Christina Bush and Gay Kiker from Altrusa International in Bentonville-Bella Vista visited the third-grade classes at Northside Elementary in Decatur on Sept. 30 to hand out dictionaries to each student.

According to the Altrusa website, "Altrusa is an international nonprofit organization making our local communities better through leadership, partnership and service. Our club offers an opportunity to make a real difference in Bentonville/Bella Vista. We undertake a variety of service, literacy, fundraising and international projects each year" (districteight.altrusa.org).

McAuley gave a brief lesson in the use of the dictionary and how to find words, states, the American flag and other interesting information contained within the book's covers.

With the dictionary provided by the Bentonville-Bella Vista Altrusa Club, the third-graders at Northside Elementary have that tool that can be used for years to come.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS A third grade student in Leslie Thompson's class at Northside Elementary in Decatur looks through a dictionary she just received Sept. 30 from representatives from Benton County Altrusa International.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS A third grade student in Leslie Thompson's class at Northside Elementary in Decatur looks through a dictionary she just received Sept. 30 from representatives from Benton County Altrusa International.