There’s a new currency at Washington Elementary, and it’s kindness. It’s courtesy. It’s respect. This is part of a new initiative called “You Matter” being spearheaded by principal Lisa Derenzo. She said the program focuses on celebrating the genius in all children.
As part of that celebration and to wrap up Read Across America Week, the Foundation for Boyertown Education presented the school with a book vending machine. The machine accepts special coins that can be earned by students demonstrating behavioral merit.
“The machine not only gets kids excited about reading, but also provides a lesson in setting goals and earning rewards, by being good role models,” said Amy Muzopappa, the Executive Director for the Foundation.
Derenzo said, “I just love to read to kids, and I do it every chance I get.” The book vending machine will be permanently placed in the school lobby, where each and every student will pass it by on their way to and from school. “We want to get kids excited about books!”
For some elementary students, the ability to choose their own book is a far greater reward than just being handed a book. On that note, the vending machine is as much of a positivity tool as it is a book dispenser. Teachers find the positives in each student, and the tokens reward that behavior.
“This is just the first of what we hope many book vending machines for the Boyertown Area School District,” said Muzopappa. “There are six elementary schools in our district. Our hope is to eventually see book dispensers in all of them.”
The Foundation for Boyertown Education fosters enriched educational experiences for the students of the Boyertown Area School District by providing grants and enhanced learning opportunities. The Foundation for Boyertown Education is an independent public charity separate from the Boyertown School District (BASD). The Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization, founded in 2013 and run solely by a volunteer board comprised of community leaders, business owners, and parents. To carry out their mission, the Foundation relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, corporations, service clubs, civic groups, alumni, and residents. The Foundation serves as a channel through which the Boyertown Community enhances the education of its young people and strengthens the future of the community itself. For more information, visit www.foundationbe.org.
The Boyertown Area School District is a public school district which covers 100 square miles in southeastern Pennsylvania.The district operates six elementary schools, two middle schools and one senior high school with a student population of nearly 6,700 children. For more information, visit www.boyertownasd.org.
