PORTAGE, Wis. (WKOW) — Wayne E. Bartels Middle School in Portage took learning beyond the classroom with their second annual ’Bartels Gives Back’ Day on Wednesday. Over 300 students participated across 13 locations in the community.

Principal Kasey Podoll said the motivation behind the day was returning the favor to the people and groups that have always stepped up for the middle school when they needed help.

Eighth grader Avery Colling expressed how the day of service helps him develop new skills, like learning to speak formally with people in the community. He spent the day sharing BMS posters with businesses.

Students engaged in various activities such as making banners for homecoming, baking cookies for the fire department, cleaning local parks, volunteering at the humane society, a

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