Olney Elementary installs book vending machine

When the Olney Parent-Teacher Organization brainstormed on how to motivate good behavior and study habits among the children of Olney Elementary School [OES], the group decided upon a book vending machine.

The machine was inaugurated on Aug. 2 and was placed in the main hallway for all the children to see as they pass from class to class. The PTO and educators hope the students will get excited about books they see in the vending machine, which will help promote reading. The vending machine was paid for by local businesses with Air Tractor being the main donor. PTO President and OISD School Board President Summer Branum said the group is still discussing how children will earn the golden coins needed to purchase books from the vending machine. The PTO included accelerated readers in each grade were invited to try out the vending machine at the ribbon cutting. The children scored the highest number of points in reading and reading comprehension last year in each grade.