Rachael B. Noel Students Go Green

Thursday, May 6

On Thursday May 6, Environmental Learning for Kids  in collaboration with Rachael B. Noel Middle School, Denver Parks and Recreation - The Mile High Million, and Veteran Green Jobs planted 25 large trees in Parkfield Park and on the middle school campus. Organized by Stacia Taves, a Rachael B. Noels Counselor, 60 top performing 7th graders were selected by their teachers to spend the day planting trees. The Mile High Million along with Veteran Green Jobs instructed and assisted the youth in planting the trees and learning about the importance of trees to communities.

Throughout the day, several visitors came by the school to praise the students and discuss different topics with them. District 11 Councilman, Michael Hancock, arrived to help with the planting process and emphasize the importance of the day's work for the NE Denver community. Kevin Patterson, Manager of Denver Parks & Recreation dropped by and shared a great lunch provided by Jeff Heidrick from our local McDonalds. While eating lunch, Kevin discussed different career opportunities that the youth could pursue in college, then he eagerly joined in to help finish planting the remaining trees. Dr. Nate Easley, the President of the Denver Public School Board and Deputy Director of the Denver Scholarship Foundation, ended the day with inspiring words of collegiate possibilities for the youth.

As the tired 7th graders walked into the school at the end of the day, their smiles were quite evident and one could hear the excitement in their voices about the experience they had. Their hard work paid off as they surveyed the trees, knowing that they made an impact in their neighborhood that day. "I wonder how long Rosa will be around?" one girl said, fondly remembering the Ponderosa Pine they had named earlier that day. This was truly an experience these students will not soon forget.