Woodfern Elementary School celebrated Arbor Day on April 27 with several activities designed to intertwine learning and the environment.
Judd Mandell, the owner of Landscape Better, led outdoor sessions showing students how to plant trees in Woodfern’s new “Learning Grove.” At the conclusion of the day, the students of Woodfern attended a spirit rally focusing on how people are entrusted to take care of the planet.
Students also unveiled a plaque to be planted near the trees. It reads, “We speak for the trees along with one another, if you please!” in the spirit of the Lifted Lorax of J.S. Seuss.
Funds for the trees came from donations from the school as an outgrowth of students learning about The Lorax and his warning, “UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” A photo story with students narrating what they would do if they were a tree was also shown. Fourth graders ended the spirit rally asking others to join in as they song, “Treat It Well.”
As Colin Mandell, a Woodfern second grader, said about his day, “It was great having my dad here to teach my friends about planting trees and how to take care of trees.”
Haley, his sister, chimed in, “Yeah, we have a garden at home, and we help water those plants, too.”

