The program promotes good behavior throughout the year, principal Beth Choquette said. Children are rewarded with tickets when they're caught performing one of the four Rs — respectfulness, reliability, reasonableness and responsibility.

 

"It's an extra little motivator," Choquette said. "The kids have done a remarkable job following the four Rs."

 

"It picks up the environment and atmosphere of the school," said Jack Rizzo, superintendent of the Windham Southwest Supervisory Union in Vermont.

 

Choquette explained that each class has a target goal for tickets every week. The class that finishes its goal the quickest gets the sought-after bobcat paw for a week. The bobcat is the school's mascot.

 

All those tickets then go to the "bobcat cave," which filled up on May 11. Then 11 tickets were drawn for the grand prize trip to Pedrin's Dairy Bar.

 

This is the first year of the program, Rizzo said.