At the beginning of the school year the OESJ Jr./Sr. High School applied to be part of the Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus K-12. The Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus K-12 is a nationally recognized program that empowers primary, middle, and high schools to integrate trees into their curriculum and on their campus. In March, OESJ was recognized at one of the two statewide conferences attended by other school districts, colleges, city and state officials, and DEC Officers as a district becoming a Tree Campus. 

As part of the Arbor Day Foundation requirements, the Environmental Science students planted a Sugar Maple tree on the OESJ Jr./Sr. Campus. Students researched trees native to New York State, prepared a presentation, and then voted which tree would be best for our school. Students then planted the tree on our campus! To remember where we put this tree in years to come, a student used the CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Machine to design a plaque to commemorate this event. 

We are honored that we were accepted into the Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus Program K-12. This will open up opportunities to get more trees as well as more varieties of trees on the school grounds in the future.