Demonstrating collaboration between Garland ISD and its community, Sam Houston Middle School partnered with the Garland Police Department (GPD) to launch a bicycle repair program in 2004-05. Since then, the Sam Houston Bike Club has been teaching students professional skills and impacting the lives of children districtwide.
To recognize the Colt’s dedicated efforts, GPD awarded Citizen of Merit certificates to Principal Don Hernandez and social studies teacher Steve Smith, who serve as the program’s facilitators, June 2.
“We are honored to receive this award,” Hernandez said. “We always have great kids in the Sam Houston Bike Club, and the work they do is outstanding.”
The Bike Club’s mission is to repair damaged or defective donated bikes and gift them to community members. In order to fulfill that duty, the charitable organization is very selective when choosing participants. Students must maintain passing grades and be recommended by a teacher or principal. The School Resource Officer and teacher sponsor then select a maximum of 30 members.
Those students are divided into two groups, meeting for two hours after-school on two different days every week. Club members must study basic bike parts and learn how to use professional-grade bicycle repair tools. A bike shop tour, online video tutorials, instruction and a written test are administered at the start of the year. Once students successfully complete all requirements, they can begin working on bikes, which are mostly donated by area Wal-Marts.
Going strong for 10 years, individual requestors, churches, community programs, civic organizations and schools have all happily received a bike refurbished by the hands of a middle schooler.
The Bike Club not only provides an avenue for students to use critical thinking and real-world skills. It also aims to instill a strong work ethic in participants.
“Students are required to bring homework, study materials or a book to read for the first 30 minutes of the program,” states a GPD press release. “The students are assisted with homework by the helping teacher or officer during study time.”
And those who dedicate their time and energy to schoolwork and the program’s goal receive a hefty reward.
“All participants receive ‘credit’ for days they attend the program if they have passing grades, good behavior and are working during the allotted program time,” GPD’s press release details. “After a student earns 30 days of credit, they have an opportunity to earn a bicycle of their choosing.”