From books to bike to school board

NORWALK — It has been quite a week for Principal Janice Smith and everybody at Pleasant Elementary. The school's Lighthouse Team was featured at Tuesday night's Norwalk City Schools board of education meeting. Then, on the same day, came the delivery of a book vending machine and an exercise bike for every classroom. The vending machine will hold books students can buy with special coins. Books will be purchased by ESSER funds to start and then, hopefully, service clubs or other organizations will be there to help out. "I love this," Smith said. "We ordered one for us, Maplehurst and League. The best books ... the kids' eyes just light up." How do you get a coin? "Different classes have different ideas," Smith said. Principal Smith asked a number of the students for some ideas on rewarding them with the coins. Some of the ideas from the children were: • Being kind; • Being nice; • By listening real, real well; • Being proactive and responsible. "Is not that the cutest thing ever?" asked teacher Kim Caprara, who said coins could be given out to students who "bring snacks to their teachers." "That would have pumped me up as a kid," Caprara said with a laugh about the book vending machine. The stationary bikes were purchased through an Ernsthausen grant received a couple of years ago, Smith said. "Teachers who have already implemented stationary bikes in the classroom have seen an increase in students' attention span with more engagement in the learning process," Smith said. "That results in a significant improvement in academic achievement." The bikes, Smith said, can be used for students who are "fidgety or anxious." Students can put their Chrome book computers on the bike while pedaling away some of their excess energy. Smith talked about Tuesday's trip to the school board meeting. "It was so good. I can not describe how good it was," she said. "Tonight we are here with our Pleasant Elementary Lighthouse Team," she told the board. "This team consists of student leaders from each homeroom who synergize to have a positive impact on students, families and the community. "These students were selected to represent Pleasant because they are dependable, reliable and respectful," she added. "The advisers of the team are Mrs. (Stacey) Opper, Mrs. (Rachel) Schlotterer and Mrs. (Julie) Gilson." Also at Tuesday's meeting, valedictorian Austin Rockwell and class president and salutatorian Summer Moehlman for the graduating class of 2023 were recognized.