On Arbor Day, April 30, on the grounds of Chester Elementary School, students assisted in planting seven trees, paid for  with a grant awarded by the Connecticut Urban Forest Council and funded by NRG Energy, Inc. Each of the seven grades, K-6, had its own tree, the species having been selected based on the characteristics of each site. 

Designed to be a learning experience, the Arbor Day program included readings of essays, written by CES students about the value of trees, and seven planting demonstrations, performed by Todd Kasack, who donated the time and expertise of BK Services Landscaping. Students from each grade helped with the planting of their tree by reading instructions, prepared specifically for the event, as Kasack placed the tree in a hole dug the previous day by BK Services. Each student present  then added a ceremonial shovelful of dirt to secure the tree.

The trees were of different types, and students studied the type of tree assigned to their grade a week earlier by  Principal Michael Barile. “The students learned a great deal about trees and developed a better understanding of the importance of Arbor Day,”  says Barile. “In addition, our school now has seven beautiful trees that add value to the property.”
 
Trees were purchased at discounted prices from Summer Hill Nursery in Madison, leaving a balance of almost $400 from the $500 grant, which will be used to buy additional trees for planting on other Town properties. 
 
Students’ posters, depicting trees as environmental assets, were on display at the school, and the event was videotaped - ^164^click here^/.