BEATRICE – Kicking off the day with a pep rally, elementary students were celebrating Earth Day by planting 45 trees on the grounds of their new school.  Beatrice Elementary students in prekindergarten through fifth grades were doing the planting around the grounds of the school that opened this year.


The project was a cooperative effort between Keep Beatrice Beautiful, BPS, Black Hills Energy, Nebraska 811, Envision Landscapes and the Arbor Day Foundation.  Keep Beatrice Beautiful Executive Director Ashley Hawks says the project is a good way to impact the local environment.


"These 45 trees that we plant today, will provide habitat and improve air quality. We're here not only to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day, but also to celebrate Beatrice Elementary School's inaugural year and the legacy our teachers, growing through their impact on our youth in the community."


Black Hills Energy donated trees and a bench, near the location where a time capsule was buried at the new elementary.

Beatrice Public Schools Superintendent Jason Alexander credited all the partners with coming together to beautify the campus and support the community.  "So, it's hard to believe that just a short year ago, we were in the midst of making sure this building was going to be the creative space that it is for our kids to learn and grow in....an environment that would challenge them...and we're so proud of the caliber of the learning that's taking place. It's changed so much bringing four elementary schools into one state-of-the-art facility, where we can have all of the kids together. This morning, we had 900 kids in the gymnasium....and they were awesome."

Pep rally at elementary school gym
Pep rally at elementary school gym  

 
Arbor Day Foundation Programs Manager Dayna Berry said trees are powerful tool to build healthier, more connected communities…that also provide a learning component.


"This community has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City for 38 years, now. That means you've been taking care of your trees, investing in green spaces and showing up year after year to make your community a better place to live. That kind of commitment is something to celebrate and to be proud of. And, today's event is also helping Beatrice Elementary School take a step toward earning its very first year of Tree Campus K-through-12 recognition, which is a big deal. This recognition celebrates schools that use trees as a tool for learning, leading and making their communities better."


The time capsule buried on the grounds included a t-shirt the students were wearing, a photo of the teachers, an event invitation and a map showing the location of all of the trees.

Heading out to plant
Heading out to plant  

 
Preschool and elementary students were able take turns shoveling the dirt around the newly-planted trees.
Students attending the gymnasium pep rally learned the importance about the call-before-you-dig law in Nebraska….and were recognized in a poster contest.  Envision Landscapes of Beatrice prepared the sites where the individual trees will grow on the elementary campus.