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Project RESCUE
Riddle Elementary
Students Continually Upgrading the Environment
Riddle Elementary School; Mattoon, IL 61938 – Telephone (217) 348-3800
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The Pictorial
Story |
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of the |
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Elementary School Arboretum |
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2007-2008 ~ The Fifth Year |
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The Story Continues... |
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We began our new year with a "walk-through with our "2nd
Grade Buddies" from Mrs. Kremitzki's Classroom. We picked up
debris that had accumulated over the summer, and as 5th grade students,
were role models demonstrating responsibility and stewardship. |
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In the spring of 2007, we were awarded money from the
Wal-Mart Foundation Grant to develop garden plots where students from
each grade level could plant and contribute to the care of our
arboretum.
We were grateful to Wayne Fleming for taking the time out to plow up our
gardens. |
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On 11/19/07, we planted our first two trees for the
year. The girls planted a Kentucky Coffee Tree to replace the one
that was lost, and the boys planted a Black Gum Tree. |
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Winter did not give up willingly, and the bulbs planted
in the fourth grade garden weren't able to bloom this year. Snow
and ice denied us their early color, but we are hopeful that some may
try again next year. |
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On 4/24/08, Miss Salmons' Fourth Grade students planted
a Serviceberry tree in her memory. Miss Salmons lost a hard-fought
battle against cancer, and this tree is a perfect tribute to her
dedicated career as a teacher. |
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On 5/14/08,
Mr. Higgins
donated a Red Oak Tree to every fifth grade student at Riddle Elementary
School. Mrs. Brachbill's class worked hard to separate and bundle
each tree to pass out to excited and appreciative students at the end of
the day. |
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On 5/20/08, We planted some more trees that were
donated by Mr. Higgins of
Higgins Trees.
We planted a Red Cedar, Norway Spruce, a Swamp White Oak, and a Bur Oak. |
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Mr. Higgins donated three more boulders that were
placed by two of the prairie plots and one by "Mr. Ed's Memorial Redbud
Tree". The best part was that they were filled with fossils that
the students enjoyed viewing with hand-lenses. |
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In May, we planted native wildflower seeds in the
garden beds to replace the bulbs. They have begun to sprout, and
we are excited about the possibilities. |
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Spring on the Arboretum.. |
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Kaitlynn H. |
Kaylee H. |
Blake B. |
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Several birdhouses were built by students and donated
to the arboretum. This has been an ongoing project that fifth
grade students enjoy contributing as part of our Annual Curriculum Fair.
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Thank you to our students and their families for
the bird houses and their generosity shown by donating them to Riddle
Elementary Project RESCUE Arboretum.
Mrs. Brachbill
and Mr.
Ghere |
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On 4/23/08, we found a sunny day to plant two trees.
The girls planted a Yellow Buckeye, and the boys planted a Dwarf Red
Buckeye. |
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Refusing to give up, in May Mrs. Wright's Fourth Grade
class planted a corner perennial garden using funds awarded to us by the
Wal-Mart Foundation Grant. More information can be obtained by visiting
the link to that page by clicking on the icon.
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2008-2009
Return
later to watch as the story
continues...
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A complete index of trees with additional information for each
one
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