Bridgeport schools had the day off on Thursday, but many parents put their kids to work by shoveling in the snow.

News 12 was on Alpine Street in the North End of Bridgeport, where a third grader from Geraldine Claytor May was learning the important life lesson.

While third grader Jo-Marie Medina would love to be on the computer learning about her chosen field of study, her mom said she can't surf the net about zookeeping until she earns her keep at home by shoveling the snow.

"I think it is really important that they learn that there is no free ride in life," says her mother Marjorie Santiago.

When her work is done, Jo-Marie says she is going to build a snowman.