KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
May 4, 2019
By Natalie Cook Clark
Katy's Bryant Elementary is now home to the district's first book vending machine. The exciting addition is the result of the fundraising efforts from the school's PTA and students.
Bryant Elementary unveils the district's first book vending machine. Photo Credit: KISD
Bryant Elementary's book vending machine was unveiled on Friday in a special school ceremony. Selected students from each grade, as well as the Queen from the annual Bryant Ball, were among the first to use the machine.
An Idea Born of a Tweet
The vending machine idea resulted from a Tweet Bryant principal Dr. William H. Rhodes read. A school in New York had announced the unveiling of its book vending machine.
“I went straight to our Librarian, Nidia Casillas, and said, ‘We have to have this. It is an amazing idea!’” says Dr. Rhodes.
Casillas then researched and found the company that made the machine and she presented the idea to the PTA.
Fundraising for a Machine
After quick approval, the PTA created the “Crazy Coin Competition” where students brought loose change and bills to donate. The winning class had their teacher crowned as King or Queen of the Annual Bryant Ball. The students raised half of the funds and the PTA paid for the rest.
“Our students LOVE going to the library,” says Dr. Rhodes, “The library is the central focus of the school and students are always seeing the great things happening in the library. The book vending machine just makes our library even more special and helps attract kids to love reading even more.”
Students Earn Special Coins to Use the Vending Machine
The book vending machine accepts special coins that students will earn for good behavior and improving their grades. Students can also win coins through live weekly drawings on the Friday announcements.
Books are hand-selected by Librarian Casillas, who has chosen a wide variety of popular books for all grade levels.
Bryant is the District's 40th Elementary
Bryant Elementary was dedicated last year as the district's 40th elementary. The school is named after Robert and Felice Bryant, who both have dedicated a combined 70 years to education, with 55 of those years dedicated to the district. While the school is in Katy ISD and serves Katy students, its reach extends to where Katy and Brookshire meet.