Out on the lawn

There has never been a school year like these last three! And it doesn't look like things are getting better for the schools, either. Should we hold class or go virtual? How about asynchronous learning? Are students better off socializing at social distances, or safer at home without the cooties of others getting all over them?

No one knows for sure, and that's why there are as many educational programs going on from sea to shining sea as there are counties and cities.

But once things do simmer down a bit, let's think about this school out in Iowa that features a curriculum that lets students receive physical education credits by going around and doing yard work for senior citizens and people with disabilities. 

Tim Hitzler is a teacher at Dubuque's Alternative Learning Center, and he says that kids who elect to help can do a number of chores to earn credits in their final two weeks of school...and many times, those final two weeks make or break a diploma. 

“Could be raking leaves, pulling weeds, cutting grass, cleaning gutters, just depends on what they need,” Hitzler said.

The ALC teaches high school students at risk of dropping out, who struggle to complete their education.

“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,” Hitzler went on to say.  “What they really like is helping people,” he added. “They really like giving back to people and meeting the person.”

I don't picture a whole lot of kids getting thrills over spreading mulch or mowing lawns, but it sounds like the kind of thing that, once you get into it, might be even more fun than doing jumping jacks or archery. Perhaps our local schools here might look into it!