Written by Aileen C., Dallas Education Foundation Social Media and Marketing Intern
Excitement was in the air at Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School as a new vending machine was revealed on campus. But instead of the typical chips and cookies, it was filled with brand new, glossy books.
The student attendees were the first to use the machine and were given tokens to pick out their own book. Smiles lit up the room as students clutched their new personal books, excited to take them home.
Jack Lowe is the newest addition to the growing list of schools that the Dallas Education Foundation has supported – this time in partnership with the Rotary Club of Park Cities and Atmos Energy.
“Education is one of the many initiatives in Rotary and you can’t find a better population to support than elementary school children,” said Philip Bankhead from Park Cities Rotary. “By encouraging students to read and help them fall in love with books, they will become good citizens and good students.”
Crystal Cavitt, the principal at Jack Lowe, said she is beyond excited about the book vending machine and what it will represent for her students.
“A book vending machine means a wider range of activities for our students. It opens up worlds for them that they might not have experienced without literacy,” she said.
Khira Haley, an educator at Jack Lowe, said integrating a book vending machine in the curriculum at Jack Lowe helps her foster a love of reading in her students.
“They are eye opening for the kids. It motivates them,” she said. “Support is instrumental to fostering a love of reading.”
The machine also helps the staff and teachers at Jack Lowe encourage and inspire their students to explore the world through literature.
The Dallas Education Foundation’s initiative to advance literacy in Dallas ISD is connected to encouraging every student to have a home library. To meet this objective, DEF aims to have a book vending machine in every elementary school.
“Our job is to bring the community to our kids,” said Mita Havlick, Dallas Education Foundation Executive Director.
