Today, April 25, students and staff at Valleyview Elementary gathered outside to celebrate Arbor Day with a special tree planting ceremony. Kindergarten through second grade students were joined by school staff and city officials as a birch maple tree was planted at the front of the school.
Ten Yellowjackets were invited to help shovel dirt around the new tree, taking part in a hands-on celebration of growth, stewardship, and community pride. The birch maple is known for its strength and low maintenance—and will continue to thrive for the next 20+ years.
Acting Mayor Scott Harrington read a proclamation recognizing Oneonta’s 39th year as a Tree City USA and celebrating the city's ongoing commitment to tree planting and environmental care.
As the tree grows, it will stand as a lasting reminder for the students who helped plant it. In 20 years, when they return to visit their elementary school, they'll be able to look at that tree and know they were part of something lasting—a small piece of history rooted right in front of Valleyview.
Arbor Day, first celebrated in Nebraska in 1872, reminds us that planting a tree today helps shape a greener tomorrow. Oneonta continues to grow that tradition—one tree at a time.
