A new book vending machine is giving Bowmar students something to look forward to. Students earn tokens for good behavior and leadership, then use them to pick out a book of their own to keep.
Jennifer Nelson, Bowmarâs Librarian, first saw the idea on social media. "I follow a lot of librarians and things like that on Instagram. Our former principal also saw it and sent a link to me, which was funny, because I had recently seen it."
The machine cost more than the school budget allowed on its own. "It's very expensive," Nelson said. "So initially, I didn't even attempt, because I didn't think we had the money."
That is where the PTO came in. Lindsay Carruth said the group had funds saved up and wanted teacher input before deciding how to use them. "We do a raffle every year, and that brings in the majority of our money for the year. So we had some from previous years that we hadn't spent yet. We really wanted to get the teachers' input because they're here every day with the kids."
Students earn tokens for showing leadership, not just for good grades. Nelson pointed to one student, David, as an example. "He is just full of knowledge, and obviously curious and wants to know more about a lot of things. I thought he was one of our kids who really would enjoy getting a book from there."
Word has spread fast. "I have kids from kindergarten to sixth grade telling me, 'I have picked out the book I won. What do I need to do?'" Nelson said.
Up next is a reading bingo card, giving students more ways to earn tokens. One square asks students to read a book published the year they were born, a fun way to teach them how to find a copyright date.
Lana Claire Morgan, Lead Teacher at Bowmar, made sure the PTO's role did not go unnoticed. "Bowmar would not exist without our PTO. They go above and beyond what any other PTO can do. There's nothing, they don't usually tell us no. So we've gotten really good at asking for things. But this is just one thing that benefits so many kids, from the tiny ones all the way up to the big ones." The vending machine also carries the school's new logo, hand drawn by parent volunteer and artist Claiborne Cooksey. "We did get to incorporate our new logo onto the side of the vending machine. She's an artist. She did the whole thing. So that's another thing we're excited about."
For Nelson, the goal goes beyond one machine. "I grew up with books, and you just assume every kid has books at home, and they don't. Some kids have never even been to the public library. It's great to give kids books they can keep forever. They're theirs."
