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"The bookstore has been a highlight of my teaching career. The entire school community has been so supportive of the bookstore. Parents have come into the store and thanked me for allowing their students to have an opportunity to be employees by the bookstore and giving their children an opportunity to purchase books at such an affordable price."
Click here to view a video of PS 20s grand opening taken by their local newspaper.
PS 20s Student-Run Bookstore Overview:
Our bookstore opens Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 2:30-3:00. On Mondays the fourth grade students staff the store and on Wednesdays the fifth grade students staff the store. We have about 20 employees and they are responsible for the roles as cashiers, stock clerks, security guards, and advertising executives. The employees are required to participate in staff meetings to address different issues on an as needed basis.
Tell us why you find this program has been so rewarding:
This program has given me an opportunity to see my students in a more mature manner. Since opening the bookstore, the students have shown such a gain in their independence. Students from every grade level are excited to come to the store and see what we have available. I have never seen the students so excited to read and to get new books into their hands.
Tell us about a great interaction you had with a student employee or customer while in the bookstore
On opening day one of the employees, a fifth grade girl, said that she was very nervous. She told me that she was shy to start her first day of work. One of the first grade students came into the store once it opened and needed assistance. The student only spoke Spanish and I had directed her to the fifth grade employee that was nervous about working. She helped the little girl to find everything she needed at the store. The first grade student was so happy. She had the biggest smile on her face. Once the little girl left the store, the fifth grade student told me that she felt so helpful. She said that the little girl said "Gracias" and she was happy that the little girl was able to get what she was looking for with her help.
Another parent had come into the school with a bag for me. Inside the bag were books that she would like to donate to the bookstore. She said that the Bookstore has been a wonderful place for her twins that are in pre-k and she would like to give something back to the bookstore since the bookstore has given her children so much in return.
Tell us how this fills a need in your school
Our school is made up of may families in need. Many of the families have come to rely on the store as a place they can go for affordable reading books and supplies for their children. We also are stocking Spanish materials since our school has such a high Spanish speaking population. The bookstore helps to teach all of the students at our school a sense of responsibility whether they are shopping at the store or working at the store.
Tell us about any promotional activities or events you have run in your bookstore
We have been offering free gifts with a purchase at the bookstore. We have been giving out items like pencils and bookmarks. The advertising executives have also been creating posters to display around the school. They have also been preparing announcements to be announced for the bookstore. We will also be having a raffle in the month of January. Students who purchase items will be given a raffle ticket to complete with their purchase. The employees and I are currently discussing what the prize for the raffle will be.
Any final thoughts on why someone should run a bookstore?
The bookstore has been a highlight of my teaching career. The entire school community has been so supportive of the bookstore. Parents have come into the store and thanked me for allowing their students to have an opportunity to be employees by the bookstore and giving their children an opportunity to purchase books at such an affordable price.
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