CENTRE HALL — On April 12, Pennsylvania Department of Education Executive Deputy Secretary Angela Fitterer visited Centre Hall Elementary School in the Penns Valley Area School District. There, she read to students from all grade levels from a book she removed from the school’s newest vending machine.
Centre Hall Elementary School received the Golden Ticket to Literacy machine in February from the nonprofit organization Random Acts of Reading.
“Aliana Reaches for the Moon,” by Laura Roettiger, was the book Fitterer read to the students. In the storyline, Aliana hopes to become a scientist and creates a birthday present for her brother Gustavo. The present was inspired by the light of the full moon shining into her room.
Fitterer, in her remarks, said reading and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education creates pathways to future success for students, even moreso when the pair work hand in hand.
“By engaging young learners through interactive and fun activities like book vending machines, we are giving them a ‘golden ticket’ to future success and achievement,” said Fitterer.
Fitterer said Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposes a $17 million increase for career and technical education and noted the budget includes a $5 million increase for computer science and STEM, which will enable schools to receive grants to establish or expand CTE programs. The 2023-24 budget also includes a $567 million increase to improve postsecondary access and completion, she said.
“Penns Valley Area School District is committed to empowering our students every day to reach individual success. Our work is both challenging and rewarding,” said PVASD Superintendent Brian Griffith. “Attracting and retaining outstanding employees is essential to achieving high standards of student learning. We look forward to backing school funding that is integral to lifting the achievement of all students, specifically those at times forgotten in rural school districts.”
Penny Eifrig, executive director of Random Acts of Reading, was responsible for the placement of the vending machine in the school. The Golden Ticket to Literacy Program provides books the students may access with gold tokens earned with good behavior and other means. Some books yield special tickets for events and activities. Only one book contains a golden ticket. When this ticket is found, all the children in all grades receive a copy of the book. The author then holds a virtual meeting with all the students.
Author Laura Roettinger will visit virtually with all the Centre Hall Elementary students in the near future.
