Greenwood Elementary School unveils new book vending machine
LA GRANDE — Greenwood Elementary School students filed past a mysterious object wrapped in orange paper and bedecked with a large yellow ribbon as they headed into the gym for a schoolwide assembly on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
The children didn’t have to wait long to find out what was hidden inside — their very own book-vending machine. This unique vending machine presents an equally unique opportunity for the school to support reading and reward students for working on character-building skills, according to Greenwood Parents Teachers Students, the organization that spearheaded efforts to get the machine.
“Together, we are making a difference in the lives of our students, one book at a time,” the PTS said in a press release.
Children cheered and stomped their feet in excitement as 10 names were drawn to select the students who would be the first to see the machine. These students helped cut the ribbon and tear the paper off the vending machine before getting to select a book.
The school incorporated the book vending machine into its existing Positive Behavior Intervention System, according to PTS Secretary Lexy Nice. The program aims to build important qualities in students, such as academic independence, responsibility, respect and courage.
When a student reaches a goal, they have the opportunity to earn a token, which can then be exchanged for their book of choice out of the vending machine. The students get to keep the book and can also make suggestions for what books they’d like to see inside the vending machine in the future.
It was important for Nice that children have an opportunity for children to have a say in the reading material they are receiving from the machine. (Students also got to choose the design on the exterior of the machine.)
The machine contains a variety of books that cater to a range of reading levels and interests. Nice said that the PTS opted to include larger trays in the vending machine, so that they could stock the machine with a combination of picture books and chapter books.
“It’s about getting more books into the hands of kids,” Nice said.
However, if you ask her daughter Brooklynn Fowler why her mom was inspired to get a book vending machine for the school, the answer is much simpler.
“Me,” she said.
This is also true, Nice said. Her daughter’s love for reading and books was a big inspiration when it came to why she wanted to do this project.
Greenwood PTS received $7,636 in grant funding from the Wildhorse Foundation for the project. The grant, in addition to funds raised by the PTS, went toward the cost of the machine, books, certificates for students, tokens and assembly supplies.
The machine was purchased from Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine, which is a part of New York-based Global Vending Group, and specializes in creating custom book vending machines.
As part of the matching funds, the PTS purchased $1,000 worth of books to go into the vending machine, Nice said. The organization has also pledged to continue budgeting $1,000 for future book purchases to keep the program going.