ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — It is Read Across America Week, and many of us here at Newswatch 16 have been visiting schools all over the area to be guest readers. Ally Gallo stopped by Ross Elementary School to read to the students but was also there for a big surprise.
Over the summer, two of the reading teachers at Ross Elementary School in the Lake Lehman School District saw a book vending machine in another school district and decided they needed to get one. With the support of the principal, the other staff at Ross, and the PTO, they were able to reach their goal and not only buy the machine but also fill it with books.
"We just want to get as many books as we can into the hands of our students," said Jen Ferkel.
Newswatch 16 was there for the unveiling of the book vending machine at Ross Elementary School. Reading teachers Mrs. Plisko and Mrs. Ferkel have been raising money and getting sponsors since the beginning of the school year to make this happen.
"I just think it's so important to share the love of reading with all of our students, and what better way than them seeing it in the front of our hallway and knowing I can work hard to get this coin to get this book," Amanda Plisko said.
For Mrs. Plisko and Mrs. Ferkel, that was the most important part of getting the book vending machine. They did not want the students to have to pay for the books with actual money but with a different kind of currency earned by the students.
"Working really hard on pulling up a grade, it could go to a student who is showing extra empathy and kindness to another student," said Mrs. Ferkel.
The students earn gold coins and use them to get their book. The hope is every student gets to use the vending machine at least once before the end of the year.
"I'm thankful for all of the teachers for putting in the work to get us this," said 6th grader McKenna Riaubia. 6th grader Emma Paull agreed.
The book vending machine was supposed to be a surprise, but some students figured it out before the unveiling, especially the older ones.
"Because everyone's talking about it," fourth grader Kenlee Riaubia said.
"Some of them, the younger ones, thought maybe it was going to be filled with chips and stuff. They were very excited when finally saw that it was books," Mrs. Plisko said.
And 3rd grader Jaxon Russell was the first student to use it. He chose Minecraft.
"This is just really special to us because we truly care about all of our students here at Ross, and we're so excited that they finally have the machine in the building, and it will be here for many, many years to come," Mrs. Ferkel said.
The book vending machine holds 250 books. Teachers at Ross will keep it stocked with every genre, from picture books for the kindergartners to novels for the 6th graders, something for every student at Ross. And unlike library books, the students will be able to keep the books forever.