Ribbon Cutting Held for Lincoln Avenue Book Vending Machine

October 16, 2023

On Monday, October 16, teachers and loved ones of Erin Halliday-Duffy gathered at the entrance of Lincoln Avenue for the ribbon cutting of the school’s new book vending machine. 

Lincoln Avenue Principal Mr. Dominic Armano explained that the book vending machine will be linked with the district-wide S.T.R.I.D.E.S. program. 

“Right now, we’re in the month of “self-esteem” and what we decided to do here at Lincoln is that we are going to be honoring some of our students,” Mr. Armano said. “They are going to be known as the Lincoln Leaders of the Month.”

Students who are recognized as leaders will be given a token for the vending machine that will allow them to “purchase” one book. Right after the ribbon-cutting, second-grader Francesco Giambanco and third grader Keira Aarne were able to “purchase” a book for themselves with the coins they had earned as Lincoln Leaders of the Month. 

Erin Halliday-Duffy was a former student and then teacher at Lincoln Avenue who passed away on August 31, 2007 at the age of 28. Erin was a beloved teacher at Lincoln Avenue with reminders of her legacy throughout the building, such as sunflower paintings outside all of the classrooms and a Peace Pole in the courtyard. 

“Her smile lit up any room,”  Lincoln Avenue teacher Ms. Nicole Barile said of Erin. “Her laugh was infectious and her goofy personality could turn any bad day around.”

“I am honored to be a part of this ceremony and am excited to see the joy in the children’s faces as they get to choose their book from the vending machine. We want to make sure that long after we have all retired Erin Halliday-Duffy will always be a part of Lincoln Avenue.”