This week’s Education Issue digs at a few of the many frustrations with DCPS: charter schools wrapped in red tape, the revolving-door politics surrounding superintendents and mayoral takeovers, teachers who should be fired and can’t be.

Check out these stories and tell us what you think. Here’s another thought: Consider doing more than grousing.

Saturday, April 28, is Hands On DC: the annual and well-organized “work-a-thon” that sends thousands of volunteers to schools throughout the city to spruce them up. After 12 years, organizers have it down to science; you will be put to work and, much like when you were in school, you will be done at 3:30. Most projects involve cleaning dismal spaces, painting hallways and classrooms, mulching, planting and general landscaping work. And if you have a skill—-like carpet installation or plumbing or wiring classrooms for computers—-you get a gold star. Well, not really, but your skills are needed, so sign up.

And if you need other incentives: Free lunch! Work breaks! An (over-18) after party! Or, hey, just give money.

So which schools need the most sprucing up? You tell us.