A new vending machine at Buckingham Elemen-tary School in Berlin dispenses books to students instead of snacks and drinks. Pictured, from left, are Chief Academic Officer Denise Shorts, Curriculum Resource Teacher Laura Arenella, Chief Academic Officer Annette Wallace, students Selvin Carcoma-Diaz and Oliver Woodward, Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor, Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert and Principal Christina Welch.
A new vending machine at Buckingham Elemen-tary School in Berlin dispenses books to students instead of snacks and drinks. Pictured, from left, are Chief Academic Officer Denise Shorts, Curriculum Resource Teacher Laura Arenella, Chief Academic Officer Annette Wallace, students Selvin Carcoma-Diaz and Oliver Woodward, Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor, Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert and Principal Christina Welch.
Buckingham Elementary School in Berlin took steps toward going go the extra mile of promoting literacy this week, after a book vending machine was installed in the school’s front lobby.
Unlike most vending machines that usually are filled with potato chips, candy, and pastries, this one is filled with between 200 and 300 books, which are dispensed using special tickets.
The school held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the arrival of the new contraption on Tuesday.
“We are so excited to make reading a reward at our school in our mission to build literacy,” Buckingham Principal Christine Welch said. “Seeing the student’s faces light up as they received their book from the vending machine says it all.”
The machine was funded with a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, $300 from the Buckingham Elementary School PTA, and an in-kind donation of books from the Briddle Foundation.
Buffalo, New York-based Global Vending Group sells the “Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine,” and in the company’s description, it says books are vending using a golden ticket.
The company’s goal is to reward students for good behavior, good grades, and good attendance, and it believes the combination of vending books using a personalized reward system can bridge the gap between engagement and literacy.
“We are proud for utilizing our resources and directing them towards literacy for all students,” the company said on its website. “This program is a great way we can prepare children for the future.”
The elementary school’s PTA also played a part in making the vending machine become a reality.
“The PTA was happy to be able to help with the purchase of the book vending machine thanks to the generosity of our community,” PTA President Donna Pellinger said.
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Partly cloudy. Low 74F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. High 87F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
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