Doing well in class pays off at the checkout line for pupils at an inner-city elementary school, where they can cash in credits for groceries at their own supermarket.
But the store means more than goodies for the children. They're learning skills by stocking shelves, monitoring aisles for shoplifters and ringing up purchases."They put a lot of work into this store," said Bonnie Dilbeck, a Washington Park Demonstration School employee who supervises the store. "They really learn a lot more than math and budget. They learn how to work together."
The store, provided by the supermarket chain Kroger Co., has been operating in a former classroom for 21/2 years. Edie Melieski, a spokeswoman for the Washington-based trade group Food Marketing Institute, says it's unique.
Kroger, a Cincinnati-based food retailer operating in 38 states, adopted Washington Park School in 1979 as a "partner in education." The partnership helps the school and allows Kroger to polish its image with future shoppers and their parents.
The store was modeled after a similar Kroger store that has operated for six years in Stone Street Elementary, an inner-city school in Louisville, Ky. But the Louisville store is operated by adults, not children.
Judy Ball, Kroger's manager of consumer affairs, would not say what it costs Kroger to support the school stores.
Pupils receive credits daily for attendance, turning in homework, being on time, completing class work and good conduct. Bonus credits also are available. Each credit is counted as a penny toward a purchase, and a pupil can earn a maximum of 180 points a day. For $1.80, a child could buy a bag of potato chips and a can of peas.
The school store charges the same prices as regular Kroger supermarkets and stocks such items as baby food, paper towels and laundry detergent.
"It's supposed to be something where they feel a sense of accomplishment where they feel that they can help at home," said Principal Helena Paul.
"We really hope they get a good work ethic: How do I earn something, How long do I have to work, and so on," she said.
A Kroger truck delivers stock to the school on Mondays. Child volunteers take the goods up two flights of stairs to the store. They mark the prices during class time on Tuesdays, and the store is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Shopping generally is limited to third through sixth grades at the school, which has 520 students. First- and second-graders occasionally work in the store as a reward for good behavior or good work in class.
Third-grader William Wright, 9, had his basket full as he waited in line to pay at the register.
Asked what he learns from the store, he said: "Spending money - and how to shop."
Parrish Ricks, also 9, has learned what he must do to be allowed to shop in the store.
"Be good in school, bring all your homework, do your work on it," he said.