Thirteenth Avenue School hosted New Jersey's 61st Arbor Day Celebrating Trees, Stewardship and Neighborhood Engagement. Volunteers arrived at the school at 8 a.m. where they registered, and were greeted by our Arbor Day Choral Ensemmble, staff and students. Afterwards they ventured outside of the school and planted 231 trees. Students from the school watered trees after they were planted. There were numerous supporters, partners, and volunteers including Greater Newark Conservancy, Newark Department of Recreation & Parks, Fairmount Super Neighborhood Group, The Tate George Group, Youth Corps, Shade Tree Federation, USDA forest Service, Community Forestry Council, Essex County SLAP, Essex County Roads Department, AARP, Covenant House, Westward Abandoned Property Initiative, USDA Forest Service, Youth Build, PSE&G, Logan Hall of Newark, Mayor's Office, Environmental Commission, DEP Forest Service, Tree Foundation, GNC Clean & Green, Neighborhood and Recreation Services, and Thirteenth Avenue School. Attendees packed the school's auditorium for an 11-a.m. Arbor Day Celebration Program. The Thirteenth Avenue School Color Guard opened the Program with the Pledge of Allegiance, The Thirteenth Dance Club performed after the flag salute. Ms. Iris Matthews, School Leadership Council Chair at the school served as mistress of Ceremonies. There were also performances by the Arts High School Choir and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. State Forrester, Mr. James Berresi delivered greetings and Official Welcome as given by Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Schools Superintendent, Dr. Janey. Both praised the school for serving as host and recognized school Principal, Lynn Irby-Jackson and PTA President, Lyndon Brown for their excellent Leadership. A Guitar signed by Arbor Day Volunteers was presented to the Superintendent who in turn presented the Guitar to 13th Avenue School.
Arbor Day Greetings were given by: West Ward Councilman Ronald Rice, Mr. Tate George from the George Group, Environmental Commission Chair, Ms. Kim Gaddy, Principal, Lynn Irby-Jackson, and Frank Miller, Covanta Director of Field Services.
Student Contest Awards were given to students who won first place in the Arbor Day art Contests. National Arbor Day Foundation Awards were presented to Tree Line USA & Tree City USA. A Ceremonial Tree Planting was held at the conclusion of the Program.
"It was a great day for the school, a great day for the community, and a great day for Newark" remarked, Mr. Lyndon Brown, PTA President.
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