D. Ferd Swaney school one of many touched by Green Gardeners
Eager hands stretched out to help. Members of the Green Gardeners recently brought a young tulip tree to D. Ferd Swaney Elementary School in the Albert Gallatin Area School District where the first-grade students assisted in planting it on the lawn in front of the school.
“You’ll watch the tree grow as you grow,’ principal Carol Ryan said with a smile.
Wendy Elias, Bunny Gwynn and Susan Stone represented the Green Gardeners, a volunteer organization responsible for planting more than 400 trees and maintaining the gardens of downtown Uniontown as well as providing educational programs on the environment.
The recent visit was part of the Grow Your Own Tree program that the Green Gardeners provide to students around Fayette County through the Arbor Day Foundation.
Fittingly, they planted the tree at D. Ferd Swaney on Arbor Day, a national observance that encourages tree planting and care.
Elias took charge of the program this year, along with Gwynn, Carney Rigg, Mindi Breakiron and Vickee Altman. Stone, president of the Green Gardeners, served as an ex-officio member and complimented Elias for her work.
The Green Gardeners, who have been offering the program for at least 20 years, contact local elementary schools annually to ask if they would like to participate.
“We had over 500 students participate this year,’ said Elias, who noted they included schools in the Albert Gallatin Area, Uniontown Area and Laurel Highlands school districts as well as St. John the Evangelist School, Chestnut Ridge Christian Academy and A.G. Montessori schools in Uniontown. “…We’d love to see more schools participate but we’re happy with what we have.’
The program is set up to educate first-grade students about trees with a video, literature and golden honey locust tree seeds they can plant and observe the growth in the classrooms.
Later, the students will take the trees home to plant.
“Depending on the success rate, we’ll have 500 more trees this year,’ said Elias.
At D. Ferd Swaney, the students appear to have learned their lessons well.
When first-grade teacher Charlene Smochinsky asked questions, they were ready with answers.
Talking about what they learned about trees, Kaden Earley, 6, said, “That trees make oxygen.’
Joseph Jurczak, 7, said, “If you cut trees down, there will be no fresh air.’
Myckayla Pall, 6, remarked, “They provide food and homes for the animals.’
Julien Frame, 6, said, “They can be used to make baseball bats and pencils and they give us fruit.’
Smochinsky, who teaches first grade along with Teri Clay and Joan Goldsmith, said of the program, “I love it. It was hands-on. The children planted trees and now they are doing observation.
“We also did a planting program with bulbs so they are doing a comparison between planting trees and bulbs. We have a science window with flowers and trees, posters and charts.’
In addition, the Green Gardeners are visiting the participating schools to plant a young tree with the help of the students.
“D. Ferd Swaney is the first,’ said Elias.
“They’re different types but all flowering trees. They will attract wild birds.’
At D. Ferd Swaney, the students proved enthusiastic about helping to plant the tree.
They helped to hold the tree as it was placed into the hole the Green Gardeners dug and then scooped dirt to cover the roots.
They screamed with delight when they found a worm in the soil and then poured water on top of the soil for the tree.
“It’s like a waterfall,’ called out one of the children.
Elias also told the students they won a special gift for having the most participants of any school.
The school requested their kindergarten classes be included in the program.
The school won a vermin-composting kit that they will receive in the fall.
It will further their education in studying the environment by learning how worms break down waste into nutrient-rich soil.
“In the fall, you’ll be composting with worms. Who likes worms? If you like worms, you’re lucky,’ said Elias, who also noted, “We’re excited you took part in our tree program.’
Likewise, school officials are grateful to the Green Gardeners.
“We have a science curriculum called Science Matters that is inquiry based and this tied in perfectly,’ Ryan said. “It’s an opportunity for the children to have an experience hands-on.
“It’s a wonderful learning opportunity and having the tree on the grounds will be something for them to remember. They can observe its growth.
“I’m very grateful to the Green Gardeners and happy to partner with them.’