Students earn tokens for new books based on exemplary behavior
The Miller Place School District recently unveiled three new vending machines at its schools, but instead of dispensing candy or snacks, these machines are full of brand-new books.
The Miller Place Parent Teacher Organization donated the book vending machines as part of its commitment to increasing literacy and generating excitement around reading. PTO representatives and District officials recently held a commemorative ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming the vending machines to North Country Road Middle School, Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School and Andrew Muller Primary School.
“Students are already excited about our book vending machines and eager for a chance to use them and get their next favorite book,” said Superintendent of Schools Mr. Seth Lipshie. “Thank you to our PTO for bringing these to our District and putting in place an amazing plan to boost literacy, reward good behavior and get children enthusiastic about reading.”
Each book costs one token, which students earn by displaying good behavior and performing acts of kindness. Earning tokens is built into the District’s existing character education programs, which reward exemplary students each month.
Miller Place is one of the first school districts on Long Island to bring book vending machines to its schools. The Miller Place PTO launched the book vending machine program as part of its Literacy Initiative to engage students in learning. One of their goals was to keep children reading and ensure they could always have books at home and not just in school or at the library. Their research led them to Inchy, the only book vending machine company in the country.
The PTO funded the initiative through the District’s Read-a-Thon, to purchase the Book Vending Machines. The PTO also purchased the books and fully stocked the vending machines. PTO will continue purchasing books for the vending machines in the future.
The PTO executive board includes Kristin Hennig, Suzanne Cloke, Jackie Maloney, Monique Caccavale, Sharda Soohkdeo, Gayle Mancini and Dawn McCarthy. Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner presented the District and PTO with proclamations to praise their success in bringing the vending machines to Miller Place.
For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page.
