Armstrong students celebrate Arbor Day, thanks to DPW

By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor

Westborough – Students in the kindergarten classes at the J. Harding Armstrong Elementary School were recently offered a tangible way to complement their science curriculum thanks to the town’s Department of Public Works (DPW).

Every April the DPW receives tree saplings from the Arbor Day Foundation which they then distribute to the community. This year the DPW asked if the Armstrong School students would like to be the recipients.

Each child received their own sapling on April 26, which was the official Arbor Day. One sapling was saved and planted on April 29, as the kids looked on.

John Mendes, the school’s principal, noted that the site of the planting, in the school’s courtyard, was perfect.

“You will be able to see bit by bit how this grows,” he told the kids.

Kindergarten teachers Lisa Doiron and Sue Gorden said they, as well as the kids, were thrilled, with the donations.

“Trees are part of our Science Curriculum in kindergarten and having the town donate a tree to each kindergartener is such an authentic learning experience!” Doiron said.

“The kids are really excited,” Gorden added. “Some of them told me they had already planted theirs with the families.”