Paynter Elementary now has a student operated bookstore! It is located on the stage in the school's auditorium. The bookstore came to fruition because Title I teacher Ms. Graff applied - and won!--a contest sponsored by Schoolwide, Inc. Schoolwide provided all the materials to set up the store: bundles of books, bins to keep them organized, aprons for the workers, tablecloths, a cash register, a stamper for the books that are sold, and bags for all purchases. The bookstore is open two days a week before classes begin.

All books are sold at a reasonable price, so that many books will find their way into the hands of many children. Since the bookstore must be run by students, the children in Ms. Reinhart's fifth grade class volunteered to apply for the library jobs. After filling out job applications and fulfilling training, the following students run the bookstore: Rogelia Rodriguez, Abigail Melvin, Sydney Harsh, Steven Andrulonis, Julia Mittelmeier, and Michael Bondi. The act as cashiers, stock clerks, security guards, and advertising executives. The fifth graders are having a great experience running the store and they have accepted a lot of responsibility.
Posted 2/19/06