Thanks in large part to their PTA, Ernest Stapleton Elementary now has a brand new book vending machine! The machine is a result of more than two years of fundraising, planning, and coordinating with PTA members and school admin.
Students were shown the machine during a series of school-wide assemblies, attended by Rio Rancho High School's own Rowdy and Rowdette Ram, as well as members of the RRHS Associated Students (some of which are ESES alumni!), all dressed as characters from some of their favorite books. When the time finally arrived, the machine was unveiled and a ribbon was cut by members of the ESES Student Council. Then, some students were selected randomly to be the first to use the machine.
Students will be eligible to use the machine upon receiving "Paws-itive" referrals by meeting attendance, behavioral, and Math & Reading goals, as well as exemplifying "Character Strong" traits and receiving Principal Awards. Each week, a handful of outstanding students will be chosen at random to insert tokens into the machine and receive a book to take home.