Rushwood debuts book vending machine

by Laura Bednar

Rushwood Elementary students now have another place besides library shelves to find a good book.

The Rushwood PTA funded the purchase and installation of a new book vending machine, which includes books for all grade levels from kindergarten through fourth grade.

The PTA used money from its walk-a-thon fundraiser to purchase and install the machine, according to PTA President Jenny Fisher. She said the walk-a-thon exceeded the $16,000 goal by $12,000, allowing the PTA not only to buy the machine, but also purchase 600 books to keep it replenished for a long time.

Teachers brought the idea of the vending machine to the PTA after being denied a grant request to purchase one. “It was the PTA’s goal this year to add a tool to increase reading excitement,” said Fisher.

Rushwood’s “Millionaire Minutes” program encourages students to track the number of minutes they read at home with the goal of reaching one million minutes as a school. The top reader in each of the 16 classes was selected to be among the first to choose a book from the machine.

Students were given a token to insert into the machine and punch in the number of the book they want to read. Rushwood Principal Dr. Jacqueline O’Mara said the school is creating a system for students to earn tokens for the machine.

“The idea is to instill in students a love of learning,” said O’Mara.

She added that the school librarian, Dorie Zaccardelli, inspires students to read and helped choose some of the books in the machine based on student preference.“When kids see their favorite books, they will want to earn a token,” said O’Mara. 

photo caption: Rushwood Elementary PTA President Jenny Fisher (middle) cuts the ribbon on the machine with Rushwood Principal Dr. Jacqueline O’Mara. Superintendent Casey Wright (l) and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Todd Stuart attend the ceremony. Photo by Laura Bednar.