Stevens Middle School is the new owner of an Inchy Bookworm Vending Machine!
Instead of dispensing snacks or drinks, this vending machine produces books. Administrators installed the book vending machine to help promote literacy and reinforce positive behavior. Students earn tokens by being positive leaders while at school. Teachers and staff fill out “Positive Pink Slips” when students display behaviors aligned with the school district’s Character Strong Curriculum, and three slips are pulled each week for a token that earns them one book.
The Character Strong curriculum focuses on increasing student well-being, building a sense of belonging, and growing academic engagement. Each week in advisory, students learn to develop a stronger sense of identity and purpose by focusing on eight essential characteristics: Patience, Kindness, Humility, Respect, Selflessness, Forgiveness, Honesty, and Commitment.
Stevens Middle School is committed to creating a stronger school community for our learners and help our students become future leaders who have great character. Principal Kristen Lunt shared that the vending machine will be stocked regularly with popular books frequently checked out at their library, journals, card games, and school supplies. “There is a lot of buzz around campus about the new book machine. Last week when we pulled names for the tokens, you could hear cheers down the hallways when students won.”
“It’s cool that I won! It was hard to pick my favorite book,” said Lyndel Atwater, who earned his token by cleaning up sporting equipment after a football game without having to be asked. Lyndel plans to build his at-home library and see what books will be available next. This new vending machine gives students something to work for and captures their interest in reading. At Stevens Middle School, kindness is cool and appropriately rewarded.
To learn more about the Port Angeles School District, visit portangelesschools.org or follow PASD on Facebook.