School Program Lets Students Earn P.E. Credits By Helping People With Yard Work

Many students dislike gym class, but one school has found a unique way to make it better. In Iowa, students can earn Physical Education (PE) credits by helping people with yard work. This program allows them to stay active while assisting elderly and disabled residents with tasks like gardening and cleaning chicken coops.

Tim Hitzler, a social studies teacher at the Alternative Learning Center in Dubuque, started this program. During the last two weeks of the school year, students can volunteer for yard work instead of traditional PE.

“It’s great for the kids,” Hitzler said. “They work hard, they sweat, and they learn important life skills. Once they try it, they want to keep doing it.”

Students choose from different options to earn their PE credit. Some clean river barges, while others maintain golf courses. Hitzler has been leading the yard work program since 2015, where students work outside for two hours a day.

“The tasks vary depending on what people need,” Hitzler explained. “We rake leaves, cut grass, pull weeds, or clean gutters. At first, the students aren’t always excited, but once they meet the people they’re helping, they get motivated.”

In 2019, 29 students signed up for this program, with 12 choosing yard work. Aside from getting exercise, the students formed connections with the community. Many of the residents they helped invited them for meals, and some students even continued the work during summer.

“Some graduates return to help with the program,” said Hitzler. “There’s something special about helping people in need.”

The Alternative Learning Center focuses on students who are at risk of dropping out. Its goal is to show that education can happen in different ways. Hitzler uses his truck and tools to run the program, and he’s surprised by how much attention the idea has received. “It’s a simple but effective idea,” he said.

The program also has health benefits. Yard work helps students stay active, boosts their mood, and connects them to others. It shows that small actions can create meaningful change.