Schools tend to focus on just carrying out the curriculum in the hopes of their students getting passing marks. That’s great but sometimes, character formation is also needed.

Good grades help kids graduate. Character gets them through life.

So this school decided to turn their students’ physical education classes into a form of community service. It’s a great way to build backs and that “work hard” mentality.

The summer months would have to be the perfect time to do yard work, as many of us would know growing up.

The weather is lovely, the land is warm and dry, and there won’t be any rain to disturb the job. Just be sure to have a bottle of drinking water around.

Now as is with life, there are others in the community and our neighborhoods who can no longer physically do that themselves. Namely the elderly and people with disabilities.

This is where the students from the Alternative Learning Center come in.

The ALC is a school for high school juniors and seniors who, for some reason or another, are at actual risk of dropping out.

During the last two weeks of school, the curriculum will have the students choosing from a selection of activities which will be counted towards their physical education credits.

It’s a brilliant system.

There are many options for students, with one volunteering to do yard work for others who can’t.

Social studies teacher, Tim Hizler, started the inspiring project around four years ago. That was just after they built their own garden.

Hitzler is a teacher at the Alternative Learning Center. He says that the students will be reaching out to help people with disabilities as well as the elderly.

He will be helping with a variety of outdoor chores to be carried out.

“The students and I and other students come out and help them. Could be raking leaves, pulling weeds, cutting grass, cleaning gutters – just depends on what they need,” he said.

Tim even added yard work as an option since that would help the students receive their physical education credits. It’s also the only way for their school to help the community.

Hizler also believes that the program will be beneficial to the students as well.

“The students aren’t typically too excited at the beginning but once they get involved and start doing the yard work they become more motivated. What they really like is A: helping people. They really like giving back to people and meeting the person,” he revealed.

As expected with kids, but they’ll get the hang of it.

Hizler says to PEOPLE, “Once kids do it once, they wanna do it again. It’s good for them to learn real-life skills.”

The Dubuque Community School District’s students and teachers went on to help people with yard work until the 6th of June. That was the last Thursday of classes in school.

It’s a wonderful initiative that’s producing fine young men and women.

Hopefully, they’ll carry this lesson with them in the future.

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Source: My Positive Outlooks, Alternative Learning Center DBQ