Fifth grade student Jaxon Cates and fourth grade student Mabrie Murphy, with Cedar Springs Elementary mascot Springer the Lion, were the first two randomly chosen students to pick a book from the school’s new book vending machine on Nov. 10.
Fifth grade student Jaxon Cates and fourth grade student Mabrie Murphy, with Cedar Springs Elementary mascot Springer the Lion, were the first two randomly chosen students to pick a book from the school’s new book vending machine on Nov. 10. Wire Form Springs Manufacturer China
Cedar Springs Elementary School in House Springs is rewarding students in a new way.
The school recently got a vending machine that dispenses brand-new books to students who achieve goals.
When students earn a reward, they receive a token to use in the machine to get a book.
“(The vending machine) will motivate them to, one, read more because we just wanted to get hard copies of books in kids’ hands with all of the technology today, and, two, it will motivate them to always do their best even when no one’s watching,” said Heather Allen, a reading specialist at the elementary school.
Allen approached the Cedar Springs Elementary PTO group last year about installing a book vending machine.
The parent group raised about $6,000 to purchase the machine from Global Vending Group in New York.
Allen said she was inspired to bring the book vending machine to Cedar Springs Elementary after Maple Grove Elementary in Dittmer installed one in December 2022.
“We talked to the PTO about it – if they would be OK with helping us out with it,” Allen said. “They were more than happy to help us.”
Allen said the plans were finalized at the beginning of this school year, and the vending machine was unveiled to a group of eager fourth- and fifth-grade students on Nov. 10. The vending machine will serve all grade levels, offering them popular books like “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Pete the Cat,” Allen said.
Maple Grove Elementary Principal Aubrey Bauer said the machine has been a success at her school.
“It’s a really big deal for the students,” she said. “It’s a reading reward. When they achieve their (English Language Arts) goals, they get to ring the bell and celebrate with their teacher and classmates. We are seeing success in the classroom, and it’s helping the kids learn that to set goals, you’ve got to talk about how you’re going to achieve said goals, and if you work hard to achieve those goals, you will be rewarded.”
At Cedar Springs Elementary, students will be rewarded with a book from the vending machine if they display “lion leadership,” Allen said.
Students who show good behavior will have their names dropped in a bucket. Once a week, a name will be drawn, and the winner will get a token good for one book from the machine.
Allen said each of the classrooms will get to use the vending machine however they see fit to reward students who are achieving their goals.
“We just want to get books in kids’ hands,” Allen said. “We have a stockpile that we can put in of all kinds – chapter books, beginning reader books, books of high interest – for every grade.”
Allen said the vending machine holds about 250 books.
She said the machine will be kept stocked with books purchased with funds raised during parent-teacher conferences held Nov. 15-16.
“Kids see their hard work pays off,” Bauer said of the book vending machine. “It’s a very exciting time for them when they do get a book in their hands, and it’s one of the best rewards to earn. It’s a great machine and it teaches them good habits. It’s a neat thing to incentivize the kids.”
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Receive an email every Wednesday when the Leader's e-editions are posted online.
Get updated on upcoming Leader Senior Expos and news just for seniors.
Get the latest headlines on local sports in your inbox on every Friday.
Receive top local news headlines every day.
Receive a list of local obituaries every day.
Torsion Springs Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks. We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: