Arbor Day tradition takes root again at Vale Elementary

CASHMERE — Second graders at Vale Elementary took part in a hands-on Arbor Day celebration April 24, helping plant a honey locust tree on the school grounds while learning why trees matter.

The afternoon event brought together students, Cashmere School District grounds staff, members of the city’s Arbor Day committee, and community volunteers for a short ceremony followed by the planting near the front parking lot.

“Give me an S… give me a C… give me an I-E-N-C-E,” teacher Kappy Schoening called out to the group at the start of the program. “What’s that say?”

“Science!” the students shouted back.

From there, students raised their hands to list what trees provide, calling out answers that ranged from oxygen and shade to homes for animals and protection against erosion.

Cashmere Mayor Jim Fletcher also addressed the group, noting the city’s long-standing commitment to tree planting.

“We are an official Tree City,” Fletcher said. “We’ve been endorsing Arbor Day and planting trees for over 35 years.”

Greg Fraser, a member of the school’s PTO and the local tree committee, pointed students’ attention to the hills above town before turning back to the campus.

“Look up into the hills,” Fraser said. “You see a few trees. Now look around the city here. Look at all the different kinds of trees.” He noted that many of those trees have been planted over time by community members.

Before the planting began, groundskeeper Lane Keller introduced the tree itself, explaining that the honey locust is a deciduous species that will lose its leaves each fall and provide shade as it matures.

After the brief ceremony, students lined up to take turns adding soil to the base of the tree, each carrying a cup and carefully emptying it into the hole before returning to their seats. Grounds staff then completed the planting.

The tree, provided by the city, marks the second consecutive Arbor Day planting at Vale Elementary, with last year’s tree growing nearby along the edge of the school grounds.

For many students, the highlight was simple: getting their hands in the dirt and taking part in something they could watch grow over time.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media