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A third-grade class at Mohr Elementary in Pleasanton received a civics lessons today along with its Earth Day celebration.
Congressman Jerry McNerney (D., Pleasanton) joined the class to plant a redwood tree, which was being grown by one of the students, at nearby Amaral Park in recognition of Earth Day.
The student, Madhav Vats, who has taken care of the tree for over a year, recently approached McNerney and asked for his assistance in finding the tree a permanent home. The congressman and the student’s class together planted the tree among a grove of redwoods.
“I was reminded while planting the tree with the students today that all of us can make a difference and help keep our planet healthy and clean,” said McNerney. “Thanks to the hard work of a third-grade student, there is now one more redwood tree growing in a park in Pleasanton. This tree will help keep our air clean and be a special reminder for the students about what they can accomplish.”
The students also shared ideas with McNerney of ways to help keep the planet clean and healthy. They varied from “don’t litter” to “don’t let your balloons go because they’ll go into the ocean and turtles will think they’re jellyfish.”
Earth Day is this Friday, April 22.
By Dolores Fox Ciardelli
I’ll bet he didn’t take any questions from the kids.
unclehomerr..
Actually Uncle Homer, he did.
What does it say about Earth Day when we teach kids to plant a species of tree that is completely alien to the area? Is this how we salute Mother Earth? Yeah, redwoods are great on the coast, but Pleasanton isn’t the coast. It will grow here only if you water the heck out of it. Is this the lesson for kids? Most redwoods are genetically capable of growing way bigger than the surrounding environment can support. That’s why so many get chopped down in urban areas every year. They also have a tendency to kill lots of the surrounding vegetation.
What’s the lesson here???
Very nice of congressman Jerry McNerney to encourage the children by sparing time for such novel purposes. I am sure this will motivate all the other children as well , to follow such extra curricular activities (what Madhav was doing)in the society…..
Anand
It was really fun to have a congressman here at Mohr Elementary. The kids loved seeing him, and had the opportunity to interact with him for a few minutes. No matter your political persuasion, it’s nice to see that our elected officials can take time out of their day to interact with kids in their district. Thanks to Mr. McNerney and his staff.