Claremont book vending machine promotes reading, good behavior

Who needs a machine to hand out snacks and beverages when there is one that will hand out books?!?

Lucky students at Claremont School have a new way to add to their home libraries through a book vending machine recently installed in their school.

The machine operates like a typical vending machine, except it does not accept money. Instead, students earn special coins for following behavioral expectations, being prompt, prepared, polite, and safe, said fourth grade teacher Aaron Mace.

A select group of fourth grade students had the opportunity to choose a book during a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 16. Each was given a special gold coin, with a book worm on it. Mr. Mace called them up individually, noting why they had been selected: Madison Humer, because she is “polite and prompt,” Shala Carchipulla because she “is always sweet and kind and always helping out,” Brendan McGrath because he “is always looking for ways to help out,” and Isabella Alvarado because “she is so kind and always looking for ways the help.”

After the four students cut the ribbon, they each selected a book of their choice that they can keep.

“It was really cool,” Isabella said, after selecting “Dog Man, Lord of the Fleas.”

“It’s exciting because we never had anything like this in school before,” Isabella said.

“Today is a really exciting day as we are officially opening the Claremont book vending machine,” Mr. Mace said to begin the ceremony.

He explained that one Saturday he received a text from STREAM teacher Micki Lockwood who shared information about the machine with him, and both agreed they had to get one for their school.

“So many of the books in here are ones you already take out,” Ms. Lockwood said. “What we are doing, putting this here, is about you, about what you love.”

Superintendent Raymond Sanchez attended the ceremony to celebrate with students. He said he wanted them to know that their teachers were thinking about them on a Saturday and working to figure out how they can make this wonderful thing happen.

“That’s what makes them so great,” Dr. Sanchez said.

Shortly after it’s unveiling, news about Claremont’s book vending machine traveled around the region, prompting other districts to inquire about how they can get one for their school.

“We try to fill the machine with high-interest books that students will want to read,” Mr. Mace said prior the ceremony. “We use data from the school library to make sure we are choosing books that kids love. We try to mix up the genres that are in there, include books that have varied reading levels, and make sure to have graphic novels as well.”

Last year Mr. Mace, along with Ms. Lockwood and Theresa Rossini, worked to write a grant to Ossining MATTERS, which approved the project and funded the purchase of the machine. Money for new books to stock the machine will come from the PTA, OPrime and the school.

“The students have been so excited to see it every time they walk by the machine,” Mr. Mace said. “Before there were books in it, they thought it was going to be a snack machine for them, but they seem to be just as excited to learn how they can earn coins to get a great book.”

“We are looking forward to having this machine reward students for their great behavior for years to come,” he continued.