West Hartford’s Norfeldt Elementary School community invoked the spirit of Dr. Seuss’ ‘The Lorax’ to support the environment by planting trees and hosting other Earth Day activities.

First graders Sam Lewis and Sophia Fiskewold (center) shovel dirt around the base of a tree planted with $400 raised at their birthday party in January. State Sen. Beth Bye (left), State Rep. Brian Becker (behind tree) and West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka (right) also assist with the planting. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

The entire Norfeldt community, most dressed in green or blue, gathered Wednesday morning for a ceremony and tree planting on the first of what Principal Jen Derrick said will become an annual Earth Day celebration.

One of the main events of the morning was the planting of a Kousa dogwood in front of the school. The healthy-sized tree, already showing buds that will eventually yield velvety flowers, was donated by funds raised at the joint birthday party of first graders Sam Lewis and Sophia Fiskewold back in January.

The entire Norfeldt first grade was invited to the party, and rather than presents the two asked their friends for a donation to plant a tree. A total of $400 was raised.

Seven-year-old Sam Lewis said that he had the idea to do this “partly because I was on the highway and I saw people tearing down trees. I decided to donate more trees.”

Sam’s mother, Jill Pollack Lewis, said that the tree planting was also in honor of Principal Jen Derick’s first year at the school.

West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka, State Sen. Beth Bye, State Rep. Brian Becker, and Superintendent of Schools Tom Moore were all on hand for the Earth Day celebration, and took turns helping Sam and Sophia add shovelfuls of dirt around the base of the tree.

A second tree, donated by the Norfeldt PTO, has already been planted on the school grounds.

Every grade actively participated in the Earth Day ceremony through songs or poems. The second graders honored the theme of recycling, reusing, and reducing by singing “We’ve Been Working on Recyling …” to the tune of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,” and third graders read and signed their poem.

Norfeldt Curriculum Specialist Chris Weaver read a passage from Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax” – a fable about what can happen when a community isn’t careful with the environment. In Dr. Seuss’ story, the a boy receives the last “Truffula” seed so that trees can grow again.

“Part of what planting these trees is about is making the earth a better place,” Weaver said.

Every Norfeldt family will also be able to plant their own trees thanks to Norfeldt’s first grade Daisy troop which affixed gray birch seeds to a dolphin shape (the school’s mascot) on a green card. Every student will be given a card to take home.

Derick was thrilled to have the tree donated in honor of her first year at the school. “This is our first Earth Day ceremony, but we’ve really made a commitment with the PTO and the staff to make our garden an outdoor classroom,” she said.

Following the outdoor ceremony, the students and teachers learned more about the environment from West Hartford resident Dave Chameides, aka “Sustainable Dave.”

Chameides, who is also an Emmy-award-winning cameraman, is known for his website 365 Days of Trash which chronicles his experience saving all of his trash and recycling from 2008 in his basement in order to understand his carbon footprint.

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(Front row, from left): First graders Sophia Fiskewold and Sam Lewis pose with (back row, from left) State Sen. Beth Bye, West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka, Superintendent of Schools Tom Moore, and State Rep. Brian Becker following the Earth Day tree planting. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Norfeldt Principal Jen Derick (right) speaks to the Norfeldt community about reducing, reusing, and recycling at the school’s first Earth Day celebration. At left is Curriculum Specialist Chris Weaver. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

First grader Sam Lewis wanted to donate trees after seeing them being cut down along the highway. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Norfeldt second graders sing about recycling, reusing, and reducing at an Earth Day ceremony. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

First graders Sam Lewis and Sophia Fiskewold (center) shovel dirt around the base of a tree planted with $400 raised at their birthday party in January. State Sen. Beth Bye (left), State Rep. Brian Becker (behind tree) and West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka (right) also assist with the planting. Photo credit: Ronni Newton