East Lynn Elementary School in West Virginia is buzzing with excitement. They’ve just unveiled Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine, courtesy of a generous grant from the Save the Children organization. This innovative program rewards students academic and behavior achievements with free books!
Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. By transforming children’s lives now, we change the course of their future and ours.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: A Grand Celebration
As school staff filled up the book vending machine, the campus turned into a haven for book lovers. Principal Marsha Thompson couldn’t contain her enthusiasm, sharing, “We are pumped because (the machine) is just so cool. It even talks to you! It’s very cute. I think the kids are just going to love it.”
To mark this exciting development, the school held a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Students had the privilege of being first-in-line to grab books from the new vending machine.
Student Empowerment: Setting Learning Goals
Principal Thompson believes this is the push students need to get excited about reading. Thompson highlights, “I want them to set their own goals. So they are taking ownership with that. And they’ll get excited about earning the books.”
Principal Thompson envisions a remarkable impact on students’ reading habits, stating, “To me, if they’re in kindergarten right now, by the time that they’re in fifth grade, then they should have a great little home library just from this.”
Tokens for Everyone: Ensuring Inclusivity
To ensure no child is left without a book from the vending machine, each student will receive a token on their birthday. Thompson acknowledges the need for some backtracking this year but assures that every student will be reached. With birthday tokens and those earned by achieving learning goals, the school anticipates a robust collection of books for each student during their time at East Lynn Elementary.
Author Visit: Enriching the Reading Experience
Adding to the literary excitement, the school welcomed local children’s book author Jillian Mathis Barr during parent-teacher conferences. Barr read to students, enjoying a high turnout. Following the reading session, Barr contributed her own books to the vending machine, adding a personal touch to the students’ literary choices.
As the school community embraces these initiatives, Save The Children is not just fostering a love for reading but creating an environment where every student can build their own literary haven.