TTE gives new tree to community
Students at TTE, as well as Castle Pines city and metro district officials, at the Arbor Day tree planting. After raising $1,500 through a spare change drive, students at the school donated a seven-foot-tall Australian Pine tree.
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett
Students at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) conducted a spare change drive and used the proceeds (they raised about $1,500) to purchase a new tree as a gift to the City of Castle Pines in honor of Arbor Day.
A student from each class at the school, as well as representatives from the city and the metro district, were on hand at the tree planting on Monarch Boulevard in late April. As they watched, a crew from the Castle Pines North Metro District (who obtained the tree and prepared the planting site) planted the seven-foot-tall Australian Pine tree.
“I think this is a great way to give the kids a connection to our community,” said Castle Pines Mayor Jeff Huff. “Castle Pines is all about pines and trees, and this is a great opportunity for them to make a lasting contribution. This was a great cooperative effort between the school, parents, the metro district and the city.”
The event was sponsored by the school’s “Timber Team” (TTE’s student government). Students at the tree planting took a moment to reflect on the meaning of the gift to the city.
“It’s important for us to have trees so we can have air and the earth can be green,” said second-grader Kaylee Kabza.
Teachers and parent volunteers who helped guide the Timber Team wanted to teach lessons about taking care of the planet as well as contributing to the greater good of the community.
“I think it was beneficial for the kids to participate in this because it reminded them of the importance of Arbor Day and how important it is to keep our community looking good,” said fifth grade teacher Tony Greene. “I also feel it was beneficial because it showed the kids how when everyone works together and pitches in a little, the end result can be something big; $1,500 from spare change is pretty amazing.”
