Quakertown Elementary Receives Book Rewards Vending Machine

BY GARY WECKSELBLATT

A special piece of equipment was recently unveiled at Quakertown Elementary School that could have a positive impact on reading and behavior. A book vending machine was purchased with the help of the Quakertown Community Education Foundation.

Similar to vending machines that pop out soda and snacks, this one drops books. And to receive one, students must earn golden PRIDE tickets for demonstrating Perseverance, Respect, In-control Behavior, Dependability, and Effort. These five PRIDE points are based on PBIS, the Positive Behavior Intervention Support program in place at QE.

“The vending machine works by rewarding kids for good behavior, good grades, good of vending books with our own personalized reward system could bridge the gap between literacy and engagement. Our long-term hope is that the book vending machine becomes the school's centerpiece and serves as a constant reminder about books and literacy.”

PBIS focuses on creating and sustaining school-wide, classroom, and individual systems of support that improve the educational environment for all children. QE’s aim is to explicitly teach behavioral expectations and then recognize the positive behaviors shown by students. Through PBIS, QE hopes to reduce school and classroom behavior disruptions and educate all students about acceptable school behaviors.

Throughout the year students will earn gold tokens from teachers, administrators, and support staff by demonstrating PRIDE characteristics.

“The book vending machine is a great way to encourage reading and to motivate learners all while rewarding students for great behavior,” said Christa Held, a fourth-grade teacher. “The vending machine will regularly be stocked with fresh, new books that any student will be able to earn and enjoy, fostering their love of reading while building their home libraries.” attendance, and anything else we can celebrate about our students,” Principal Dr. Greg Lesher said. “The PBIS Core Team came up with this idea and our belief is that the combination

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Dr. Erin Oleksa-Carter, a member of the QCEF board and QCSD’s Supervisor of Middle Level Teaching and Learning, said “The QCEF board was excited about this unique grant request, and felt that it could excite our students and engage them in reading. The vending machine provides students choice based on their interests and provides a motivation to earn tickets.”

The book vending machine is located in the school’s cafeteria.

Gary Weckselblatt, QCSD Director of Communications, writes about the people and the programs that impact the Quakertown Community School District. He can be reached at 215-529- 2028 or gweckselblatt@qcsd.org.

Volunteers are needed to support the mission of the Advocates for the Homeless of Upper Bucks (AHUB). AHUB is a non-profit organization which serves the needs of the homeless of the Quakertown, Pennridge, and the Palisades areas. One program under AHUB is a volunteer staffed community ministry called Code Blue which provides shelter and a warm bed and meal to the homeless of Upper Bucks County on cold winter nights when the temperature is 26 degrees or below.

Advocates for the Homeless Seeks Volunteers in Quakertown Think Local. Learn Local. Be Local.

This homeless shelter is located at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Quakertown, PA. After a very successful nine years for the program, we hope to broaden our volunteer base for this upcoming winter. Opportunities include: Shelter Admissions staff, Overnight staff, Morning Aide, and more. Season runs from November 15, 2022 to April 15, 2023. Please consider volunteering with AHUB. Contact us at ahubpa@gmail.com to learn about opportunities. You can also reach us at 267-410-0366, but e-mail is preferred.

AHUB will ensure COVID-19 protocols are in place at the shelter in order to provide a level of safety for both volunteers and guests. This will include regular disinfection of the shelter. About Code Blue Ministry:

Code Blue Sheltering Ministry, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, officially opened in Quakertown on December 1, 2013 after three years of development and provides warm shelter, food, and respectful overnight care for homeless people in Upper Bucks County during times of life-threatening cold weather.

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