ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOL PARTNERS WITH TREE PITTSBURGH TO DISTRIBUTE FREE TREES FOR 150TH ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION
Contact:
Deana Callipare, director of communications
(412) 247-7970 x9200
For Immediate Release
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOL PARTNERS WITH TREE PITTSBURGH TO DISTRIBUTE FREE TREES FOR 150TH ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION
PITTSBURGH (April 18, 2022)— The Environmental Charter School (ECS) is partnering with Tree Pittsburgh and One Tree Per Child to distribute 250 trees to district families on April 29, 2022 during school dismissal for the 150th Arbor Day Celebration.
“ECS and Tree Pittsburgh are like minded organizations that partner with each other frequently to promote sustainability, outdoor education and family and community involvement in safeguarding the environment,” Kristan Abeshouse, Manager of Partnerships, Family Engagement and the Student Experience, said. “It only makes sense that we team up to honor the 150th Arbor Day in Pittsburgh.”
Leading up to the April 29 tree distribution, ECS families have their choice of adopting an Eastern Redbud, an Eastern Red Cedar, a Sweetbay Magnolia, a Blackgum, or a Swamp White Oak at one of ECS’s four campuses. Families are encouraged to review Tree Pittsburgh’s planting resources before planting their trees in their backyard to ensure their health, growth and to act as tree heroes to protect them as critical components in Allegheny County.
"One Tree Per Child and ECS have planted trees together, and now, we're excited to give families the opportunity to plant trees in their own yards,” Clara Kitongo, One Tree Per Child Pittsburgh Program Manager said. “These trees will help us meet our goal to increase tree canopy across the city.”
To prepare for the distribution event, students watched a read along of “If I were to Plant a Tree,” a book written by Tree Pittsburgh and illustrated by the ECS 4th grade class of 2014. Tree Pittsburgh’s Mascot, Oaklee, also made an appearance in the read along and later surprised students by popping into classrooms.
“We really love trees and teaching our students and families how to be more sustainable,” Abeshouse said. “It is a wonderful moment to see our youngsters participating in events that will transform Allegheny County and be on display in nature for generations to come.”
The tree distribution on April 29 is just one of many ways the school district celebrates Arbor Day and Earth month. Throughout the school year, especially during the month of April, students learn about the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how they relate to everyday life. Students take deep dives into what it means to live sustainably and grow into global citizens who are prepared to solve real world problems.
About ECS:
The Environmental Charter School is a tuition free K-12 charter school in Pittsburgh, Pa. ECS combines the academic rigor of the best public schools with a multi-disciplinary, “out-the-door” learning approach rooted in real world problems that build active, engaged and empathetic citizens.
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