Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/building-character-through-community-service/5016038/
The playground adjacent to Hilltop Children’s Center, a full-day child care program in Seattle, had just one tree �" a large cedar that provided shade and fragrant boughs that the children would take back to the classroom for art projects. When the four and five year olds at Hilltop learned the city was planning to remove the tree because its roots were causing the nearby pavement to buckle, they became upset. Their teachers, Ann Pelo and Melissa Parson, urged the children to channel their frustration into productive action. The kids drew pictures of the tree and dictated letters explaining why it was so valuable to them. Pelo and Parson sent the children’s artwork �" along with a cover letter that included their comments �" to the parks department. In response, a city council member met with the children, teachers, and interested parents to explain the city’s problem with the pavement and to brainstorm solutions.After many conversations, a decision was made. The city removed the asphalt around the tree and replaced it with rubber, allowing the tree to remain. Knowing that they had made a real difference in the community was a transformative experience for both the ...