On March 15, Ashton-Franklin Center Elementary School held a ribbon cutting for its new book vending machine in its cafeteria. Students and staff were invited to participate in the event.
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FRANKLIN GROVE — On March 15, Ashton-Franklin Center Elementary School held a ribbon cutting for its new book vending machine in its cafeteria. Students and staff were invited to participate in the event.
The new vending machine was funded by the school's parent-teacher club. Books for the machine will be purchased with funds from book fairs. The book vending machine takes "Inchy Coins" rather than real money. Students can earn Inchy Coins by following the AFCES's four school-wide expectations: Respectful, responsible, safe and kind. Books can be purchased with one coin and students get to take the books home.
After AFCES Principal Jenah Burkitt explained the concept to kids and staff on March 15, one student from each class randomly selected by their teachers were then able to come up to the machine and purchase a book for their classroom libraries.
Burkitt said that fundraising for the machine has taken place for the past three years and she thanked the PTC for their help in getting it.
“I saw on social media that one of my old schools had gotten one a couple of years ago,” Burkitt said. “I thought it was really cool, so I approached the PTC and they loved the idea. We do a Scholastic Book Fair twice a year. The money we earn from that will pay for the books. So, it kind of pays for itself. It's just really trying to promote reading with the kids in a fun and innovative way.”
Burkitt said the school wants to encourage both getting better at reading and students finding a love for it in a world where screens are more prevalent.
“We want to remind kids that they can get a lot from just picking up a book and reading it,” Burkitt said. “If it takes a vending machine to make that happen, then why not?”
AFCES sixth graders Tessa, Mya, Hannah and Silas said the new book vending machine made them excited and more likely to follow the AFCES school-wide expectations.
“I was amazed at how excited the kids were by it,” Burkitt said. “I was a little nervous because a lot of them asked if it would be filled with pop or candy. But when they found out it was books and they were excited, I was pleasantly surprised. We have a good group of kids who still love to read. I knew it was something they were going to really enjoy.”
