Putting "good behavior' to work: Students Christmas shop at school

Second-grader Alexia Todd inspects a candle Friday morning at Bartley Elementary School's Ticket Store. The store opened for students to do Christmas shopping with "good behavior" tickets.
Second-grader Alexia Todd inspects a candle Friday morning at Bartley Elementary School's Ticket Store. The store opened for students to do Christmas shopping with "good behavior" tickets.

With a line usually stretching out the library and into the hallway, students have remarked their shopping at the Ticket Store reminds them of Black Friday.

Bartley Elementary School's Ticket Store opened Tuesday in time for students to do some Christmas shopping. Tickets in hand, students clamor for their turn in the store where they can purchase items with tickets they earn through good behavior - a part of the school's Positive Behavior System.

Third-grader Zoey Ison said she earned her tickets "for being a learner in class." She had already purchased several items Friday morning but was eyeing a plastic toy that she said her 1-year-old sister would like. So far, Zoey has only collected items for her family, nothing for herself.

"I bought a bracelet for my mom and a card for my teacher, a toy truck for my little brother and then I bought an ornament for my mom's boyfriend," Zoey said, listing Christmas gifts she spent 14 tickets to purchase.

Second-grader Wyatt Houseworth decided on a small ornament for one ticket.

"I'm gonna give this to my grandma," Wyatt stated.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.