Students participate in event to inspire positive thinking before school year starts

On the last day of summer break, students around Anchorage met to help create a positive atmosphere for those heading back to the classrooms on Monday.

Students at Rilke Schule charter school drew along school sidewalks pictures of animals like a panther and blue jay.

Oliver Wileman, a first grade student this year drew a flower.

"I could make Harry Potter too, but that would take a lot of work," Wileman said.

Alexander Lockwood, a 6th grader spent time with his sister drawing on the sidewalks.

Lockwood said his method of preparing for the first day of school involves recharging his brain.

"Mostly sleeping in," Lockwood said.

While students drew, about a dozen parents like Erin Kirkland rolled up their sleeves to pull weeds around the school property.

"Everybody's going between chalking the walks and pulling weeds and playing on the playground and it's just a really nice way for us to gather as a family," Kirkland said.

United Way of Anchorage is also hosting more Chalk the Walks events around ASD schools on Monday.