Carmela Elementary held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, October 25, for their new Book Vending Machine that will provide students with physical books in an effort to create a community of readers.
The Book Vending Machine was funded through the Los Angeles County Office of Education, known as LACOE. Carmela received a grant for the vending machine in the beginning of 2021.
Carmela principal, Karina Hartl, spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony and shared, “The Carmela staff understood the need for providing students with more physical books. We felt the need to write a grant and have a project that could foster the love of reading, help students build an identity as book owners, and create a community of readers.”
Students can redeem books through the Book Vending Machine by using a golden coin that is earned through reaching attainable PBIS goals.
“As part of our PBIS rewards program, students who follow the school matrix of being safe, responsible, and respectful can earn points towards a golden coin that they can redeem for a free book,” Ms. Hartl explained. “We will ensure that students reach achievable goals to obtain free books.”
Students will earn points as class incentives. They can then use those points to exchange for a coin that will be used for the vending machine to receive a free book. In addition to class incentives, Carmela’s staff felt it was important to celebrate students who follow the Capturing Kid’s Hearts Character traits. Students who exemplify those character traits will receive a golden coin.
Carmela plans to be purposeful with their book selections and provide books that serve as mirrors and windows. They plan to include books that serve as mirrors where students can see themselves, helping build their own identity, and books that serve as windows where students can learn about the world from diverse characters. These books are meant to encourage students to learn about people and issues that are different from their own and will open discussions that can lead to being more accepting of others.
The event also included students who received golden coins for exemplifying the character trait Empathy. They were the first students to use their coin to redeem a free book.
Ms. Hart closed by sharing, “Today is a special day because we get to have a ribbon-cutting in order to celebrate the ability to promote literacy in our school.”