HARTFORD, Conn. -- Hockey, speed skating and figure skating have become part of the curriculum in the Hartford school system.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Dan Kain reported that the district has teamed up with Trinity College to give inner-city children some fun time on the ice, and to some, it's the perfect marriage.

Trinity sports a brand-new ice facility, the Williams Ice Rink. The Hartford school system has no outlet for kids who want to skate.

At this point, the program gives every student a chance to lace up a pair of skates and see what skating is all about.

"It's fun; I just got to learn how to stop better," said Vinny O'Brien, a Hartford student.

In all, about 600 Hartford school students will have a turn on the ice to see if ice skating is something they like.

"It's just a new experience for them," said Rich Pettit, the college's community sports complex facility manager. "It's a challenge and something that they can accomplish and are accomplishing, which gives them some confidence and credibility in what they're doing."

Members of the Trinity hockey team help the kids get squared away on their skates.

"They love it," said Lila Claghorn, a junior forward on Trinity's hockey team. "They're fantastic, trying new things, whether it's stopping or just having fun with their friends."

"For our kids who have been around ice their whole lives, it's a chance to give back and help, which has been outstanding," Pettit said.

Hartford student Lachell Jefferson said she is indeed surprised by her own skating.

"Right now, I'm working on (getting better)," she said.

"Different levels of instruction will be available as they continue to grow in the sport," Pettit said. "If they show a desire and want to continue, I want to have a place for them to continue to skate."

Kain said this is just the beginning of what everyone involved hopes will grow over the years as students discover the joys of skating, working with Trinity and developing their skills and ambitions.

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