Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – A hands-on lesson in science and community responsibility is taking root at a Jonesboro school with help from a state program.
According to a news release, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture selected 10 schools to participate in its 2025 Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) program, which is designed to give students an “hands-on experience with planting and caring for trees” while teaching them how vital trees are to communities.
Among the schools chosen was the International Studies Magnet School, which was the only school selected in Northeast Arkansas.
Principal Suzanne Faught said the school was delighted when they heard the news. She explained that one of the teachers, Haley Jones, applied for the program after telling her that it was something she could be interested in.
“We’re always looking for something that takes us above and beyond anyone else, just to have opportunities for our children to participate in and show that we strive to continuously be a reflection of each other in the community,” Faught said.
The release said selected schools will receive up to five native shade trees, mulch, watering supplies, and planting guidelines. Department staff will also help with tree transport and planting to make sure they are suited to the playground’s conditions.
Counselor Paula Brown said she has already talked to her student council officers, and they have been researching trees that would do well in the area. They have already been talking to the department about the planting process.
“So, when the gentleman came the other day, we got to share some of our ideas with him, and he liked some of them, and then he had some that he added as well,” Brown said.
Among the trees to be planted are a willow oak, a bald cypress, a black tupelo, a new tail oak, and a burr oak. The school is also looking into getting a sixth tree through a private donor so each school house will have a tree to take care of. Three trees will be placed on one side of the playground while three others will be placed on the other side.
“They’re [the house] going to name it. We’re going to make sure that we have children that are going to be taking care of it. We’re got where we’re going to put canvases down a hallway that represents the tree and tree name for each one of the trees and types of tree that each house is going to plant, and then we have a tree tree curriculum that we will just ensure that they can share all of that information during their science time in the classroom,” Faught said.
Each tree will have to be watered for the next two years, according to Faught, with the students using water bags that will have to be filled about every four days. Each student will also have a chance to put in the dirt in the holes either by hand or shovel.
Another aspect of the program the release mentions is that it will create “lasting benefits for both students and their playgrounds.” Faught hopes it creates an opportunity for the students to have ownership in something and teaches them new skills.
“If the whole house can take care of their one tree, then imagine what it would be like at the whole campus,” Faught said. “I think it’s going to be a huge piece where it’s not just going to be about science. It can be about music, it could be about theater, it could be about all these other components that children can learn.”
The school will hold a planting ceremony for the trees at 9 a.m. on Nov. 10.
