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ONE TO GROW ON
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C,H. Campbell Elementary School 4th grade students Lake Bennett, left, and Gabby Eberly, help with a Norway Red Maple tree that was planted outside their school Thursday in Canfield.
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C.H. Campbell Elementary School kindergarten students, from left to right, Eliza Blasko, Emma Conroy and Lily Grdic watch during an Arbor Day program at their school Thursday in Canfield.
Canfield students plant tree for future
By JON MOFFETT
Vindicator Staff Writer
Principal Kent Polen did his best to make sure students remember their roots at C.H. Campbell Elementary School in Canfield.
The newest addition to the school, a Norway red maple, stood its ground as members of the five fourth-grade classes took part in a belated Arbor Day event in the school’s gymnasium.
Though Arbor Day was celebrated April 24, the tree was planted two weeks ago and was officially dedicated to the fourth-grade class Thursday.
“It’s really special for the fourth-grade class because when they come back, they’ll see the tree and remember that it was dedicated to them,” Polen said.
Students participated in an Arbor Day presentation to the rest of the school and some parents and other special guests, including Canfield Mayor William Kay, Superintendent Dante Zambrini and Park and Recreation Board Chairman Mark Eddy.
The event included a skit, a Peanuts cartoon clip about Arbor Day, and a message from the late John Denver about the importance of trees and conservation. The students also read facts about trees, referring to them as “nature’s air conditioning.”
The presentation also branched out to include future generations. Students told a story of an old man who planted a sapling. He was mocked for planting such a small tree because he would never live to see it grow. But the old man said the tree was to benefit the next generations.
Polen said the fictional story sent a good message to all the students.
“Hopefully, they get the message that this isn’t about them right now and that this tree is for future generations to enjoy,” he said.
The 6-year-old tree was planted in front of the school. Eddy said the tree will “take two to three years to take hold before it just takes off.”
Eddy told the students, “When you come in off the buses tomorrow, you’ll know that this tree is dedicated to you all.”
After the presentation, Zambrini praised the students and administration in all of the Canfield schools for actively participating in recycling and conservation efforts.
Zambrini said this year’s event was “the best Arbor Day I’ve seen in a while.”
Caroline Griswold, 10, was presented with a third-place certificate by the Green Team for a districtwide drawing contest.
Griswold designed a placemat featuring a drawing of a rabbit giving a thumbs-up next to the recycling symbol and the words, “Think before you litter; do more recycling.”
Canfield was also recognized by the Green Team and Park and Recreation Board for its involvement with the Tree City USA program.
Canfield is in its 28th year as a Tree City USA.
jmoffett@vindy.com