|
 |
Greenville Elementary & Middle Schools Welcome Bookworm Vending Machines!
Sue Dankworth, K-2 Principal, Greenville Elementary School
January 22, 2021
With the onset of the pandemic during the last year, school
administrators have had to make a number of changes to our current
processes that reflect health department mandates and safety protocols
within our buildings. These changes have been made with one goal in
mind – to keep students and staff members safe.
One unfortunate change involved our school libraries. Because of the
possibility of the spread of the virus due to contamination of
exchanged library materials, students have not been able to borrow
books in classroom libraries or the school media centers throughout the
school district. While certain materials have been assigned for
independent classroom use, checking out reading materials for the
enjoyment of simply reading a book has not been possible.
In the fall of 2020, the elementary school PTA began discussing ways to
put books back in the hands of our Greenville students. The PTA
discussed their purchasing power and looked at a variety of ways to
help support our students through these tough times. After a few weeks
of research and negotiations, the PTA voted to purchase a vending
machine for elementary students that distributes free full-size books
that students can keep. Melissa Williams, GES PTA President, shared
these thoughts about this decision:
“We know the importance of reading and the impact it has on our kids.
When we came across the Book Vending Machine, we knew that this was a
great way to get books in our kids’ hands! We as a PTA were so excited
to do something to inspire the kids to read! We are excited to provide
this tool for our teachers and staff to use to encourage reading.”
In order to obtain these books, students must earn special book tokens
by modeling good behaviors at school. Through behavior lessons and
class discussions, students are reminded of ways to support their
classmates and teachers by being respectful and responsible, which, in
turn, builds friendships and self-esteem. These behaviors are expected
to be exhibited throughout the school day -- in the classroom, in the
cafeteria, on the playground, and while riding the bus. Students who
are recognized as showing positive behaviors can earn tokens, and each
token is worth one free book from the Bookworm Vending Machine. Katy
Copas, K-4 School Counselor, has been working on the PBIS (Positive
Behavior Interventions & Support) Team for several years.
This team organizes reward activities for students and provides
information and support for teachers and staff. Katy and her team are
very excited about the possibilities this will offer for our students
in the future.
“The PBIS committee is very excited about the purchase of the Bookworm
Vending Machine. The PBIS program finds that focusing on the positive
behavior leads to school success. Teachers will be able to recognize
students who demonstrate positive behavior or have made significant
growth. Because of the special honor of receiving a book, we hope that
students will feel a sense of accomplishment and continue to make
positive choices. The Bookworm Vending Machine will be an asset to
Greenville Elementary.” (Katy Copas, Greenville Elementary)
Through the collaboration of parents, administration, and staff
members, a plan has been devised for replacing these books periodically
throughout the life of the machine, with initial funding being provided
by the Greenville Elementary PTA and the Greenville Schools Foundation.
Recently, The Greenville Schools Foundation also agreed to fund a
second Bookworm Vending Machine for the Greenville Middle School. This
machine will be used in much the same way as the elementary machine;
however, books will be catered to the interests and reading levels of
our older students.
Delivery of the new vending machines (which are customized with
Greenville colors and mascot) will occur this spring. We are very
excited to receive our book machines, and we would like to pay our
respects to the Greenville Elementary PTA and the Greenville Schools
Foundation for their support and generous funding efforts.
Thank you!!!
|
|
|
|
