Jackson Elementary School and the Norman Rotary Club celebrated the official launch of the school’s new book vending machine during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on campus. The event marked the beginning of an innovative literacy initiative designed to reward student achievement and promote a love of reading.
Representatives from the Norman Rotary Club, Jackson Elementary, and Norman Public Schools attended the celebration, which highlighted the partnership and shared commitment to expanding literacy opportunities for students.
“We are so grateful for our partnership with the Norman Rotary Club,” Principal Gina Bolding said. “This book vending machine is a wonderful example of how our community works together to support students. By expanding access to books and creating exciting opportunities to celebrate student achievement, we are strengthening our literacy efforts and helping our students grow as lifelong readers.”
As part of the celebration, five students were randomly selected to receive the first books from the vending machine. Students do not pay for books; instead, they can earn a token to use the machine through accomplishments such as reaching reading goals, demonstrating positive behavior, or other achievements identified by school staff. They also get to keep the books forever.
Norman Rotary Club President Liz McKown reaffirmed the club’s commitment to literacy, noting,
“Getting books into the hands of children is the goal,” McKown said. “We want them to take their books home and read them with their families. A book vending machine is such a fun way to gift a child a book. Jackson Elementary has been fully on board with this idea from the beginning and has been a great partner with Norman Rotary. It is really priceless to see the kids’ faces light up as they choose their books from the machine. I can’t think of a better way to gift a child a book!”
Funding for the vending machine was made possible through the generous support of the Norman Rotary Club and was supported in part by a Rotary District Grant, demonstrating the broader Norman Rotary network’s dedication to local education initiatives.
The book vending machine will continue to serve as a motivational tool throughout the school year, giving students ongoing opportunities to earn new books they can take home and keep.