Now in its 21st year, the Ravena Grange continues a cherished tradition by donating brand-new dictionaries to the third-grade students of Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School during a small assembly on Friday, January 23, 2026. Through its long-standing community initiative, Words for Thirds, the Ravena Grange has donated nearly 1,800 dictionaries to students in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District over the past 21 years.
Excitement filled the room as students received their books. One student joyfully exclaimed, “It’s Dictionary Day!”
Before receiving their dictionaries, students asked thoughtful and curious questions of Ravena Grange representative Mr. Coye, including, “How do you use a dictionary?” “Is every single word in the dictionary?” and “What is the difference between a dictionary and a thesaurus?”
Reflecting on the longevity of the program, Mr. Coye shared, “When we first started this program, we were on the second edition. Now we are on the sixth. Each edition includes more words than the last.”
The District is grateful for its partnership with the Ravena Grange, which fosters a love of language and learning. Each year, third graders eagerly explore new words and expand their vocabulary with their own dictionaries. The Ravena Grange is open to all and offers a variety of programs for children, teens, and adults. Learn more by visiting the Ravena Grange website.
