MOUNT GILEAD — Park Avenue Elementary School students celebrated Earth Day in a special way this spring when 45 fifth graders planted a tree in the front yard of the school April 22.
The fifth graders participate in Kiwanis K-Kids service club and recited their pledge before planting the Weeping Cherry tree. They promise in the pledge to serve the neighborhood and their school and “to show respect toward my environment and try to make the world a better place in which to live.”
Their advisor, Erin Kelty, spoke about the scientist, Jane Goodall whose work with Chimpanzees has contributed to environmental studies. Kelty asked the children to think about “what kinds of things you do to make a difference every day.”
Each child can bring a rock with their name and can put it under the tree.
Principal Chris Kamenski said he hopes they will all come back in a few years to see how the tree has grown and find their rock.