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During a noon event held at the Guess Elementary School Library on Sept. 25, Entergy Texas donated $50,000 to the United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County to support a new book vending machine program for the Beaumont Independent School District. The funds granted by the utility will facilitate filling book vending machines at 10 campuses with 250 books each month this school year.
“We’re excited to support a program that promotes literacy and awards students as they reach their goal,” Entergy announced when presenting the funding. As part of its stated ongoing commitment to investing in education, Entergy Texas donated $50,000 to fund the program that allows BISD to implement incentives aligned with student attendance, behavior, effort and reading practice. Students are awarded special tokens for meeting their goals, which can be used at on-campus book vending machines.
“Beaumont ISD is overwhelmed by the generosity of Entergy Texas, the United Way of Beaumont & North Jefferson County, and their incredible support of our literacy initiatives that will positively impact our students and community,” said Jenny Angelo, exec tive director of Curriculum and Instruction for Beaumont ISD. “Thanks to this community partnership, along with several other sponsors, every elementary school in the district will have access to a book vending machine. The support of Entergy Texas and United Way of Beaumont & North Jefferson County will have a measurable and lasting impact on our student achievement and contribute towards growing our students as life-long readers and learners.”
The thousands of books provided to students across the district will end up in homes throughout the city. Unlike visiting a library, the books students select from the vending machines will be theirs to keep.
“United Way is truly grateful for the support of Entergy Texas during the launch of the United Way is Growing Readers literacy initiative,” said Karyn Husbands, president and CEO of United Way of Beaumont & North Jefferson County. “The desire is to help build home libraries for young scholars and create opportunities for learning.”
The school district is seeking to get the community and parents/guardians on board with new initiatives aimed at student success.
“Together, let’s prepare for our future,” the district urged stakeholders as it unleashed a new survey through the Beaumont ISD Office of Innovation during its second annual Vision Week. The survey was provided via a newsletter sent home with students, on BISD social media pages and on the district website at www.bmtisd.com. Parents prepping for their students to take advanced courses are also invited to AP Parents night on Oct. 2. The course fair and student showcase that begins at 6 p.m. at the BISD Boardroom at 3395 Harrison Ave. will conclude with an information meeting that will allow parents to learn about opportunities for students throughout the district’s middle and high schools. For more information, email clemas1@bmtisd.com.