Reading High School and Tree City USA hosted a ceremonial tree planting on Arbor Day, April 28, 2023. Principal Waldo Alvarado welcomed over 60 participants to the celebration. Participants included students, faculty, staff, school board members and representatives, the Mayor, and others. This year’s event involved the introduction of 28 newly planted trees including: Eastern Hemlock, Serviceberry, Blue Atlas, Pink Dogwood, and Redbud. This event also recognized the School’s newly created “Reading High Arboretum'' and its Silver Level Award as an Eco-School through the National Wildlife Federation. Last June, Reading High School received a Bronze Level Certification for transforming its courtyard into an outdoor learning lab.
Principal Alvarado and Teacher Manzella with 9th Grade Student “arborists” and their tree renderings
As Reading High School continues its commitment towards environmental sustainability, Arbor Day seemed like a natural venue to celebrate the green changes on campus.
Principal Alvarado shared his gratitude for the school’s green accomplishments. He thanked the Mayor and Tree City USA for donating the newly planted trees. Principal Alvarado noted, “Planting trees is a powerful solution to help mitigate the effects of a warming planet. The benefits of trees are plentiful.”
RHS’s Mr Eppenstein with a newly planted tree donated by the City of Reading and Tree City USA.
During the Arbor Day ceremony, RHS dedicated the Reading High Arboretum with over 40 identified and labeled species of trees. A “Tree Walk” was designed by Mrs. Kathleen Manzella’s students, some of whom have been working on this project for three years. Student arborists, wearing self-created tree badges, shared their tree knowledge with the participants at the celebration. RHS is in the process of receiving official accreditation for the Reading High Arboretum through the ArbNet program.
School Board President Dr. Noahleen Betts and Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Murray thanked students for their efforts. Reading’s Mayor Eddie Moran presented a tree proclamation. National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-School program manager, Lindsey Walker, presented the Silver Certification to the School’s Red Knight Mascot. The event closed with music performed by the students in the Vocal Company and the Instrumental Group.
Mrs Manzella summed it up, “We are thrilled that RHS is continuing to push forward more environmental efforts. It’s heartening to see the students take an active role in reaching and celebrating these milestones.”
Article by Mary Ann Boyer of Boyer Sudduth Environmental Consultants, May 2023.
