Vista Grande Elementary unveils renovated library, book vending machine

RIO RANCHO — Vista Grande Elementary School students, staff and members of the Parent-Teacher Organization came together Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of the school’s renovated library and a book vending machine for students who demonstrate good behavior.

It was all smiles for Librarian/Media Specialist Marina Bean and PTO President Simone Mehta-Campbell as they cut ribbons for the library and vending machine, respectively.

“Here’s to the new library!” Bean said to students who gathered with her in front of the entrance to the library, which received its first renovation since the school opened in 2002.

Mehta-Campbell, who has two children attending Vista Grande, watched with glee as students lined up to retrieve a book or journal from the vending machine, which spoke to them as items were dropped down.

“VGE is a great school ... the kids are wonderful, and it’s an honor to be here and help them do better,” Mehta-Campbell said.

Vista Grande Principal Christine Prescott said the vending machine was inspired by another one at Ernest Stapleton Elementary, also part of Rio Rancho Public Schools.

Renovated libraryThe big-ticket item, a renovated library, was something school officials wanted for years, said Prescott and Bean.

The library — previously painted shades of red — contained older furniture which kids complained was uncomfortable, as well as unused areas and blank walls. Bean noted she filled some of those spaces with art she personally owned.

“We didn’t have a unifying theme, as we do now,” Bean said.

Now, the library — painted in a neutral color — includes not only new furniture, but new shelves, a colorful mural from a local artist and a book nook. That space, called “Karen’s corner,” is named after a staff member who passed away.

“I wanted it to tap into archetypes that are in child’s minds ... so we could connect books to natural imaginations of children,” Bean said. “They love it.”

Prescott hopes the renovated library inspires them.

“I truly believe, when (students) walk into the library, they feel inspired to read books they love, but even more so, find books that they haven’t read before,” Prescott said.

Third grader Lorelai Hoffer, who helped cut the ribbon for the renovated library, seemed to have the inspiration her principal want her to have.

“More books means more learning for everyone,” she said.

Vending machinePrescott said students who get positive office referrals have the privilege of using the vending machine.

Those referrals stem for things like picking up trash off the playground without being asked or helping students navigate campus.

The latter was true for Vista Grande fifth grader Amara Torres, who asked a student who was having trouble going from from one class to the next to walk with her.

“She seemed happy,” Torres said. “It felt nice.”

Torres added that she liked the ability to get more books using the vending machine. Some of her peers, meanwhile, said they preferred a journal.

Mehta-Campbell described the vending machine as “a PTO want,” inspired by parents and teachers seeing low-income students come to the book fair unable to afford the book they want.

“So, we thought maybe tailoring it to have a book vending machine coinciding with positive referrals, we would see an increase in referrals — kids going above and beyond,” Mehta-Campbell said. “(The school) can issue out the referral; we’re just partnering with them for the incentive.”

The PTO will continue to stock the vending machine, she said.