ARBOR DAY 2003

Harold Martin School was pleased to celebrate Arbor Day last year with the planting of a tree on school property while placing a plaque on that site commemorating the loss of the Columbia Shuttle Astronauts who died February 1, 2003. In fact, we were honored to have Governor Benson proclaim Arbor Day and Forest Conservation Week in New Hampshire right here at HMS.

The idea for this celebration began with third grader Graham McIntire's family. One of Graham's uncles, Bill Collins, is President of Collins Tree Service in Hooksett, NH. Another uncle, Derek Collins, is an engineer at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas and participated in the tree dedication ceremony. In addition, space exploration has been a major theme of his classroom teacher, David Tilley. One cannot miss the replica of a space shuttle in the back of the classroom, complete with lifelike electronics. Mr. Tilley also incorporates the space theme into his reading program.

Students throughout the school prepared for the event by engaging in writing projects on Arbor Day and discussing the importance of protecting our environment.

Arbor Day is celebrated in New Hampshire on the last Friday in April and this year is the 132nd anniversary of the holiday.  Arbor Day celebrates the positive environmental impact of trees, which can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife.

In addition to the Governor, we were honored to have Executive Counselor Peter Spaulding, Hopkinton School Board members Kim Fuller and Chairperson Joy Bloomfield, Superintendent Ayers and other dignitaries on hand to join in the celebration. While he could not attend the ceremony, Senator Judd Gregg sent me a letter regarding the event.