The Ocho & Pork Spending

I'm pretty sure it's common practice in elementary school these days to have some sort of creative disciplinary system. At our school each classroom has it's own system. One can "move their butterfly", "pull a star", "change their color card" or "move Mr. Monkey". Such dreaded punishment occurs when a child chooses to disobey their teacher or break the rules.

(Back in my day every class had the same disciplinary system. It was called "catch Mr. Paddle on your backside and then look forward to catching it again at home when your Mama finds out." And I'd also like to point out back then we didn't have school shootings or gang violence. Just sayin'.)

At the beginning of Ocho's 2nd grade year we were told that the system in place to control the little monsters was called The Pig Dollar. Every day the student would receive 4 Pig Dollars which they would keep in a slot designated just for them. Pig Dollars were subject to confiscation should any punishable offense occur (talking during class, not following directions, not turning in homework, etc.). In the event of a major offense (talking back, lying, cheating) the number of Pig Dollars collected would be at the discretion of the teacher.

At the end of the week, students were allowed to count up their Pig Dollars and spend them at the class "store". They could purchase invaluable items like plastic bracelets, lip gloss, pencils and gum. The gum was usually the hottest item.

The students also had the option of saving their Pig Dollars from week to week. By doing this, they could purchase the really expensive items like clothing, DVD's and Jonas Brother's concert tickets. Oh, I'm kidding. They could still only buy lip gloss and gum. Just in higher quantities.

Allow me to clarify something. Losing a Pig Dollar was a big deal in the Ocho's class. Some kids lost one a week. Some kids lost one a month. Some kids lost one every 3 hours. But only one kid never lost one. Ever. At all. Can you guess who?


That's right. My Little Ocho was recognized today in our Awards Chapel as the only student in her class to never lose a Pig Dollar. She was also commended for her excellent grades and sweet spirit. But she didn't care about that. She was most proud of her Pig Dollar collection.

In case you were wondering, her current Pig Dollar account balance is $370. She spent them pretty frivolously early in the school year but has preferred to stockpile them in the past few months. With one exception.

Around Christmas, one of our classroom moms came to the girls with an idea of getting them involved in a charity. It was to benefit a family member who had lost 2 children to a rare disease. She offered to match any pig dollar donations the girls would make with real dollars. Of course, she was thinking each girl might give 5. Most of them did. But the Ocho? She gave 80.

Of everything she's accomplished this year (straight A's, a spelling bee ribbon, today's Awesome Achiever Award) that donation is still my proudest moment. I love that my girl has a heart for others and a true sense of what's valuable.

This Friday will be her last opportunity to spend those Pig Dollars since they don't rollover into 3rd grade. And since you can't donate them to missions or use them to sponsor a child in Africa, I'm sure we'll be getting a years supply of Bubbilicious.