Photos courtesy of the Connetquot Central School District
The Rotary Club of Ronkonkoma and the Connetquot Central School District partnered to supply Helen B. Duffield Elementary School with a book vending machine.
Most individuals have stuck a dollar into a vending machine to choose a drink or snack, but Helen B. Duffield Elementary School students now have the opportunity to choose a book. On Sept. 30, members of the Rotary Club of Ronkonkoma, Helen B. Duffield Elementary School Principal Lisa Farrell, Connetquot Central School District administrators and board of education trustees, teachers and select students were on hand to cut the ribbon celebrating the operation of the new Duffield Book Vending Machine.
Left, Helen B. Duffield Elementary School reading teacher April Oquendo and (right) Ronkonkoma Rotary Club President John McNamara are pictured with students who were present for the ribbon-cutting for the school’s book vending machine.
The vending machine, designed by Taylor Quaranta, was a joint effort between the school and the Ronkonkoma Rotary, whose mission is to partner with schools on literacy. Each month, teachers will choose a student who meets criteria to become student of the month. In all, 18 students a month will receive a gold coin to place in the vending machine to choose a book. Books will be supplemented by the Ronkonkoma Rotary.
Connetquot Board of Education Vice president Milynn Augulis looked with Helen B. Duffield Elementary School students to see what books are being offered in the school’s new book vending machine.
Reading teacher April Oquendo said that putting a new book in a child’s hand is so exciting. “This is a partnership that will continue a love of reading,” Ms. Oquendo said.
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