Some West Middle School students spent their day off from school on Friday giving back to the community.

They taught about 80 special needs students from school districts 38 and 49 how to fish. Eight different stations were set-up around Memorial Park to help students learn about the popular recreational activity.

"Fishing is a life long activity and with students taking home their own rods and reels, they have the opportunity to go fishing again with their friends and family," said Bonnie Mendenhall, District 49 Adapted Physical Education Teacher.

The West Middle School students have been going to school early for the past five weeks to learn more about fishing, so they could pass on their skills to the special needs students on Friday.