C. A. Reinhard students demonstrated environmental leadership during a celebration of Earth Day, held on April 22. In addition to a host of activities, teachers reminded students that they are stewards of the earth and that actions today have consequences for the planet later.

Principal Patricia Castine held two live virtual read-alouds of Stacy Tornio’s “This Class Can Save the Planet” and Lita Judge’s “The Wisdom of Trees.” The PTA provided planting kits for all K-2 classes, and the sprouted plants will be transplanted when they are grown. The students each recited the Earth Day pledge, which included promises to keep plants and trees green, the land clean and not to waste water. Activities also included the coloring of Earth Day hats that were worn throughout the day.

Second grader classes also gathered on the playground for the annual tree planting of a Acer Rubrum Red Sunset Maple and watched as Michael Demetriou and Penelope Mooney filled the dirt around the tree with shovels.

“We need to be smart thinking scientists to solve hard problems,” Ms. Castine told the students. “You can use your synergy to make a difference.”

In the prekindergarten wing, students learned about the concept of “reduce, reuse and recycle” and how to protect the planet. As a culminating activity, the students made kites out of plastic shopping bags and flew them on the playground.

Even the hallways’ chalk bulletin boards served as reminders of the steps students can take to preserve the environment. Teachers wrote the answer to a question about how to help the earth, which included recycling, picking up trash and planting trees.