Talk about classroom lessons springing to life. Second graders in the Port Washington School District saw their studies become nothing short of hands-on with the planting of new trees at each of the district’s five elementary schools at Arbor Day celebrations on Friday.

There’a a new Yorshino Cherry at Daly Elementary School, a Shubert Cherry at Guggenheim Elementary School,  a Japanese Dog Wood-White Flower at Manorhaven Elementary School, a Maple at South Salem Elementary School, and Red Sunset at Sousa Elementary School, all thanks to a $1,900 grant from Long Island Power Authority, secured by Residents for A More Beautiful Port Washington.

The program was a natural fit for LIPA’s membership in the National Arbor Day Foundation "Tree-Line USA" program, and an environmental program sponsored by Residents, said Mariann Dalimonte, development director for Residents. Once the Board of Education approved LIPA's gift, the rest of the pieces fell into place. 

“We went to every elementary school to see where they’d like the tree,” said Dalimonte.

Residents, she said, worked with LIPA and Jim Ristano, the school district’s director of maintenance, and the elementary school principals to select the ideal locations for the new trees.

On Arbor Day, Guggenheim's celebration took place at 11 a.m.

“We chose something that would flower and provide shade for the children during reading time,” said Gina Kelly, a guidance counselor at Guggenheim.

The planting celebration coincided with the second-grade curriculum, tying together the children's social studies unit on recycling, science lessons in photosynthesis and language arts program on comprehension and writing skills.

Lisa Grossman, a volunteer with Residents, read to and worked with students to teach them about all about trees. That included the every day items generated by trees, including rubber bands, and even gum.

“It was new to them,” she said.

During the celebration, Larry Ferrandiz of LIPA answered questions, and the children raked mulch around the tree and sang a song to commemorate the planting. 

Along with the celebration came this idea: try to plant a tree every Arbor Day, the last Friday in April.