McKinley Elementary in Billings, MT, is sharing its secret to success. But it’s not what you think. It involves a vending machine! Not just any vending machine, mind you. It’s an Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine! The school’s literacy rate and test scores have been soaring since its arrival. And we couldn’t be more thrilled.
A Tale of Tremendous Improvement
Since 2017, students have been achieving incredible success. Reading scores have improved by a whopping 44%! It’s all thanks to a shift in focus, as Principal Nicole Trahan explains. “Our focus is more on whether the students have learned the concept we are teaching. Not just, did we teach it?”
A Helping Hand and Data-Driven Magic
With the help of federal funding, McKinley Elementary brought in interventionists to assist students. These extra hands, coupled with a data-driven approach and dedicated planning time, have made a huge impact. We’re all about collaboration and meeting each child’s specific needs. Kaitlin Elliott, one of our interventionists, says it best: “The kids are not just one teacher’s kids. They’re everyone’s kids.”
Tokens and a Love for Reading
But that’s not all. The best part is how the school introduced a fun incentive. Student earn tokens for being safe, respectful, and responsible. What can these tokens buy? Well, they can be used in Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine! “It’s tactile, meaningful, and then also helps them find a love and a joy of reading,” says Kaitlin Elliott.
A Community Effort at McKinley Elementary
Staff insists they couldn’t have done this without the amazing students and families. They raised half of the money needed. Community partner, the Billings Clinic, made a generous donation. School counselor, Caitlin Hraban, also secured a grant to fully fund the project. “It just was kind of a really intriguing thing of, how can we motivate students with something that’s literacy-based, instead of like, ‘Here’s candy!’” she says.
Dreaming Big
So what’s the ultimate goal? They want to become the first National Blue Ribbon School in Billings. And with the hard work, dedication, and amazing progress, students consistently demonstrate; they’re well on their way!
The Future is Bright
As Principal Trahan emphasizes, our kids are amazing, and they keep exceeding our expectations. With their hard work and determination, our school’s future looks brighter than ever. Our students are proving that success is just an Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine away!
Inchy the Bookworm Vending Machine is a catalyst for change.
With PBIS principles at its core, this machine is helping students unlock their potential one book at a time. Are you ready to spark a reading revolution in your school? Are you ready for students to celebrate reading? Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine is the key. Embrace the magic, reward positive behavior, and let the pages of possibility turn in your student’s hands.
We’re thrilled to play our part in a bigger mission, promoting literacy for all students. This program is just one way we’re helping kids get ready for the future. If you think Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine would be the perfect way to cultivate a culture of reading for your school, contact us. We’d love to hear from you.