The small hand points to 10; the big hand ticks to 15. Instantly, the bell bursts into a monotone hum. Within seconds, the entire schoolyard
scatters to form lines. Somehow, silence overcomes chaos. Then the bell hums again.

Third graders at St. Matthew’s Episcopal School dash to Virginia North, the elementary school’s custodian and guardian of chips—their chips. These brightly packaged snacks represent more than a recess appetizer to these students. It’s money to them.

In October, the third graders began selling potato chips during recess on Thursdays as a way to build their business, Cheap Chips. The idea came from Rusty Bourg, marketing administrator for Synergy Bank in Houma, who visits the students monthly to talk about money and finances as part of the Bank at School program. His goal was to allow the students’ developing minds to experience the process of taking out a loan, paying off the debt and reaping the rewards of income as a business grows.

“In school I always liked projects more than being in the classroom,” Rusty says. “When they can see the money and touch the money, they can understand.”

Rusty teaches the third graders how to manage their earnings, but it’s up to them to run the business. That’s why they chose to elect a president,
vice president, treasurer and public relations representative among them to oversee the weekly operation. Together, along with both classes of third-grade students, they are working to earn enough money to pay
off their debt and to purchase something meaningful.

“We usually make $50 or $60 every week,” says Gaven, Cheap Chips’ public relations representative. “Once we get enough money, we’re
going to help the soldiers in Iraq and Iran.”

The confident spokesman, whose hunter green polo neatly meets his navy slacks, figures $900 should do the trick once the money is tallied after Easter. He would like to allot $300 each to soldiers, charity and playground equipment for the school. Rusty says the third graders are well on their way to achieving their goal. Each bag costs 50 cents, and several 50-count boxes are emptied each recess.

The students offer Lay’s in original and barbecue flavors, Doritos and Funyuns. Barbecue remains their best-seller, but flavor really doesn’t matter as long as they are left only with hollow boxes at the end of recess.

“We’re going to do it,” says Grace, a third grader determined to reach the classes’ goal.

Noah, the treasurer, counts the money after each business day, but every student in the third-grade class has the opportunity to handle money for Cheap Chips. The students take turns working as cashiers, collecting and exchanging various monetary values throughout the process. And they don’t forget Virginia, who is employed by the students to sell chips when they are in class. Her wages include two bags of chips for each day worked.

“I get paid really well,” she says as a customer hands her a dollar for one bag and walks away. “Don’t forget your change, sweetheart!”

Virginia guards not only the chips, but also the stand from which they are sold. Rusty built the rectangular stand so that Cheap Chips could have property to call its own. Its countertop and bare walls are customized to a third-grader’s height. Only a crooked flyer advertises the business on the stand’s front.

“The idea was supposed to be that it’s rough to start,” Rusty says. “Maybe the next class will paint it.”

But that’s looking ahead. For now, the third graders remain focused on learning from the past to adapt to the present.

Their first day’s supply sold out in October, so they have been studying recent sales trends. As a result, Doritos and Funyuns inventory is being carefully monitored. Gaven has his eyes on advertising. He says the classes need to purchase a printer to publish “The Daily Chips,” a newsletter that would promote the business and keep customers informed about the latest happenings. It’s just one of the many ideas consuming his thoughts.

No worries. Cheap Chips is doing just fine. If hundreds of fingers crinkling bags on the playground are any indication, the potato chip industry has found a new home at St. Matthew’s.

“It’s written in stone now,” says Diane Wood, a third-grade teacher
at the school, about Cheap Chips Thursdays. “There’s no going back.”

Rusty’s eyes smile behind his ebony-drenched shades as he watches the business grow right in front of him. The bags disappear until the day’s supply of Doritos is gone. The students work as a team to adjust inventory. Meanwhile, the sounds of munching and laughter fill the playground. The third graders hear only ka-ching ringing in their heads.

“It’s a beginning,” Rusty says proudly. “It’s a foundation.”

The bell hums. The munching and crinkling stops. Lines form quickly. All is quiet except for Gaven, who continues to fill Rusty’s ears with his idea for that newsletter. PoV