CLARKSVILLE, tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) At their Tuesday meeting, past Lt. Governor Ron Smithfield presented the Kiwanis Distinguished Club Award to Past President Daniel Binkley for his and the Club’s excellent 2016-17 projects assisting children in Clarksville-Montgomery County. The highlight of Daniel’s year was a new Children’s Literacy Project called “Reading Rodeo”.
The club members gave the same book to every 3rd grader in Clarksville-Montgomry County Schools. The students read the book together with discussion and events involving art, music, math and science. The goal was to help improve reading comprehension in the third grade. Numerous research shows that literacy is a critical factor in students future job opportunities.
For over 30 years the downtown Kiwanis members have distributed free books to 3rd or 5th grade students in seven schools in the Reading is Fundamental program. The “Reading Rodeo” in 2016-17 was the first time the same book was used for teaching in all 24 elementary schools. The program is being repeated in the 2017-18 school year under President Dan Black.
Director of Schools Millard House said “The Clarksville Kiwanis Children’s Literacy project has been instrumental in improving literacy for the critical third grade reading comprehension. State data shows CMCSS 3rd graders scored 27% higher than the state average in 2017 and we are ranked a top Level 5 on the TVAAS Literacy score. This is such an innovative idea and we look forward to continuing to work with Kiwanis to develop student future success.”
Clarksville Kiwanis Children’s Literacy project is in the running for the top Kiwanis project in all of KY and TN. If selected the grand winner will be announced at the Kiwanis International Convention in Las Vegas in late June.
Meanwhile, Smithfield was recognized by Kiwanis International as Distinguished Lt. Governor for last year as one of three in the KY-TN District. Also, the Clarksville Club was recognized by District for the best Interclub Award for most visits and programs at other Kiwanis clubs.
One of the Club’s major fund raisers is Saturday, February 24 with the John Maddox, Sr. Memorial Kiwanis Pancake Day at the Madison Street Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 7-11 am. Tickets are available from any Kiwanian or at the door.