Joliet, Plainfield students celebrate Arbor Day, Earth Day

Two local schools honored Earth Day on April 22 with activities that showed their concern for the environment.

Woodland Elementary School in Joliet hosted the city of Joliet’s official Arbor Day celebration on Earth Day.

Under the leadership of Woodland Principal Kim Gordon and following COVID-19 precautions, a small group of students participated in a tree-planting ceremony with city and District 86 officials, according to a news release from Joliet Public School District 86.

ComEd donated the Arbor Day tree and saplings for the students to take home to plant, according to the release.

Students also participated in an Arbor Day poster contest. Winners of the contest were announced at the Joliet City Council meeting April 20, according to the release.

Joliet District 86 art teacher Rene Fitz-Henley coordinated the contest. Woodland winners included Eduardo Arriaga, Antonella Contreras, Carolina De La Torre, Madison Esters, Isabella Garcia, Lesli Navarrete, Sofia Paramo, Monica Reyes, DeAsia Stevenson and Saory Wong.

Students at Aux Sable Middle School in Plainfield planted pansies outside the school and spent part of the day spreading mulch, picking up trash and pulling weeds, according to a news release from Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202.

Some students at Aux Sable Middle School also drew chalk messages about Earth Day on the sidewalk in front of the school, according to a District 202 news release.