Thumbs up to the continuation of a holiday tradition at Fletcher Elementary School. Recently, the school PTA hosted the annual Santa’s Secret Shop where students could buy Christmas presents for their family. Secret shops are a wonderful way to teach children the importance of giving during the holidays — but Fletcher Elementary School’s shop almost didn’t happen due to a lack of volunteer support last year. PTA officials were able to round up enough volunteers this year, and by all accounts the three-day shopping event was positive for students and the volunteers. It would have been a shame for this tradition to end. Thumbs up to those who stepped up to help it continue.

Thumbs down to the recent charges against a Randolph woman who is accused of allowing underage youth to congregate and consume drugs and alcohol. The woman faces five counts of unlawful dealing with a child, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of second-degree obstructing governmental administration. Amber Redeye, 35, of Randolph was charged with five counts of first-degree unlawful dealing with a child, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of second-degree obstructing governmental administration. Thumbs down as well to those who make fake identification available, particularly online. Recently, 26 people between the ages of 18 and 20 were found using a fake ID in Fredonia, with Brad Meyers, Fredonia police chief, noting many are being obtained online. There are good reasons legal drinking age is 21 years of age. According to the Chautauqua Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council, studies have shown young people who began drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who abstained until age 21 while children are at risk of sustaining permanent brain damage, resulting from even moderate alcohol use in ways that adults are not. Alcohol use in general, as well as higher levels of use, among adolescents is associated with poor grades, absenteeism and higher rates of school dropout.

Thumbs up to the Power Scholars Academy Day Camp, hosted at the Eastside YMCA. The program is a collaboration between the YMCA of the USA, BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life), local YMCAs and local schools that blends literacy and math instruction over the summer months. In 2017, students gained two-and-a-half months in literacy and three months in math skills as measured on the STAR Assessment at the beginning and end of the camp. “This program is to, number one, help populations that might be underserved with resources,” said John Barber, of the local Jamestown Eastside YMCA. The Power Scholars Day Camp should be used as a model for other summer day camps. Learning and fun can coexist, after all. Making these sort of programs available to more of the youth who struggle in school would make a huge difference in the future of Jamestown and its youth.