K-M middle school students learn the importance of giving back

Despite the chilly, cloudy morning, Kasson-Mantorville Middle School students set out across the Kasson-Mantorville area to give back to their community for the fifth annual Community Service Day on Oct. 13. 
“Middle school philosophy is really about teaching kids exploratory kinds of things,  so teaching kids the importance of giving back to the community and respect,” said K-M Middle School Principal Michelle Krell. “When we have the kids come and clean the park or do other kinds of things it helps them have a deeper appreciation for the stuff that we have around our community.” 
The middle school’s 32 advisory groups, all made up of around 20 students, split up to do various community service projects mainly in Kasson and Mantorville, but also a few locations in Byron and Rochester. 
Some of the projects included cleaning up around the neighborhoods and bike trail, reading and doing projects with K-M kindergarteners and first graders, cleaning up Mantorville’s Riverside Park and helping with the Mantorville Restoration Association (MRA) properties, cleaning the school buses at the Dodge County Fairgrounds, making care packages at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester and cleaning up Oxbow Park in Byron. 
“It builds character. They are working hard, they are giving back and we want them to have a service heart and an attitude of helping whoever needs help,” Krell said of the day’s importance. “This is a day that teaches them the importance of chipping in. You can tell the kids love it, they are proud of the work they are doing. It is a very special day