ATHOL — With rakes, gloves and lunch packs in hand, Athol Elementary School fifth graders paraded to Athol City Park in the early Wednesday afternoon sunshine.

They were on a mission to begin a series of projects to benefit the Athol community, and after being stuck in the classroom undergoing state testing all morning, they were more than ready to unleash their energy on a park cleanup session.

"I am happy to be here and help out with the environment," Connor Jones said between raking and picking up sticks.

This is the second year Kelly Cain and Linda Payne's classes have joined forces to make a positive impact on their town in collaboration with the city of Athol. Students will give a presentation during the May 6 Athol City Council meeting to give an update of what was done last year and plans for this year.

Students will spend three days beautifying the park before the end of this school year.

"It's actually cool," student Lizzy Baumberger said. "You're helping out the community and the community will be really happy."

Cain said every grade level at the school tries to pick something as a passion project.

"What we wanted was something that was going to connect with the community so these kids, as they get older, feel some connection and responsibility for keeping up their park and their city," she said.

"They can come back as teenagers and go, 'Oh! I did that!'" added Pete Weigman, public works and water operator for the city of Athol.

Students will contribute their artistic talents and elbow grease as they work on the park and paint the door on the adjacent water building in the coming days. 

"Fifth grade studies the water cycle and we talk about the local aquifer, so it's a nice tie-in because the third time we're down here Pete will take them in the water building and they'll be able to fill their water bottle with fresh water right from the aquifer," Cain said. "They'll understand what it is. It works well with our curriculum."

Weigman said he enjoys having the kids explore and work at the park.

"It's a great way to get them connected to their community," he said. "Any successful city has some type of a vibrant park, so to be part of keeping it up and working with the kids to keep it up so they can feel connected too is great."

Cain, who has been a teacher for more than 40 years, smiled as she looked around and saw her students engaged and enjoying their park beautification experience.

"This is what teaching is all about," she said. "Educating is more than just sitting at a desk; it's sharing the love of your community. If these kids find that in a project like this, then I'm doing my job correctly."

    From left, Mason Hester, Kandyce Marks and Maddy McRae empty a bag of sticks into a backhoe bucket Wednesday during an Athol Elementary fifth grade community cleanup day at Athol City Park.
  

    From left, Athol Elementary fifth graders Ashlynn Stephens, Kansas Hyle and Kaleigh Finch are elated to be in the sunshine as they walk Wednesday afternoon with their classmates to Athol City Park.
  

    Athol Elementary fifth graders gather on the stage for a photo Wednesday at Athol City Park. The students are working with Athol City Hall to beautify the park and give back to their community.