Forest Avenue’s three fourth grade classes turned hard work into some beautiful gifts that will give back to their school for many years to come. The students held a car wash last month and then voted to purchase trees and plants for the school’s gardens, a tree plaque and balls for the playground.
The Forest SCA’s Environmental Committee coordinated the purchase and planting of two native trees and nine plants in the school’s Butterfly Garden. Cedar Grove Garden Center gave a 20% discount and planted an Eastern Redbud tree in the front of the school and a large Red Maple in the playground on June 5. A pile of free mulch for the garden was delivered by the Board of Education. The car wash event was organized by the SCA Legacy Gift Committee comprised of Courtney Williams, Toni-Lynn Alfano and Nancy Gonzalez Slawski. 
The Redbud tree has heart-shaped leaves and deep magenta flowers in spring. George Washington was a great admirer of this tree, and several entries in his diary speak of his fondness for its beauty. He spent a good deal of time attempting to dig up seedlings and transplant them successfully in his landscape.
Pictured above are fourth graders visiting the garden (from left to right): Trevor Spinelli, Renee Schuldiner, Faith Fauerbach, Kelly Nulty and Antonio Belotta. Cedar Grove Garden Center planted one of the trees and First Grade teacher Mrs. Bavolar released butterflies in the school garden that she raised with her students in class.
