A new addition to Verner Elementary School has young students turning the page on how they think about vending machines.
For two weeks, the mystery surrounding what was inside a large, covered box in the school’s hallway had K-6 students guessing what the surprise might be.
The young Riverview School District students were thrilled with the answer to their questions during an unveiling of the school’s new book vending machine Friday, the culmination of “Reading Across America Week.”
“The kids were so excited,” said special education teacher Kristen O’Block. “We had a ‘20 questions’ game and the students could ask questions about the box.”
Students’ guesses on the box’s contents included a refrigerator, a port-a-potty and toys.
The book vending machine is customized with Verner’s school colors, a star design, logo placement and lights.
The vending machine doesn’t take cash. Instead, a special token is required to “purchase” a new book.
Second grader Sophia Chieffo stopped by the machine Tuesday to eye up the current offerings, which include books for all reading levels in grades K-6 — both hard cover and paperback.
“I thought it was maybe a TV,” Sophia said as she looked at a book with a “hair-love” theme. “It’s more reading in the school, and I like that you can earn a book.”
A token for the vending machine is earned after a student reads a book, writes a book review and reads the book review during morning announcements.
Fifth grade English language arts teacher Shannon Kahne said his older students loved the buildup to the reveal.
“My fifth graders were guessing playground equipment, new computers and such. They were excited about the reveal and were picking out the books,” Kahne said. “It was a lot of fun, and we wanted to make this vending machine fit in with an elementary school.”
The machine, dubbed the Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine, was ordered from bookvending.com.
In collaboration with the school’s Parent Teacher Organization, Oakmont Bakery sponsored the machine at a cost of more than $7,000.
“It’s fabulous because we have such a great support in our community that we have a business that always gives to us,” Verner Principal Christina Monroe said.
Kindergartner Jeffrey Chieffo was fascinated by the lights Tuesday as he made his way past the machine.
“I want all of (the books),” said Jeffrey, who was particularly interested in a dinosaur-themed paperback.
The books will be restocked by the PTO using Scholastic Dollars earned during schoolwide book sales.
Oakmont Bakery owner Marc Serrao said he and his wife, Susan, were thrilled to assist the school with the acquisition of a unique educational gift.
“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader, ” Serrao said. “By immersing ourselves in the written word, we acquire knowledge, broaden our perspectives and cultivate critical thinking skills. We’re honored to have the ability to invest in our children.”
Joyce Hanz is a TribLive reporter covering the Alle-Kiski Valley. A native of Charleston, S.C., she graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com