Washington School, Mt. Lebanon’s oldest elementary school, will fittingly  host Mt. Lebanon’s Centennial Arbor Day celebration, Friday, April 20 at 2:30 p.m. in front of the school.

Each year, a different school hosts the Arbor Day celebration, which is a requirement for Mt. Lebanon to maintain its status as a Tree City USA.  Each school works with the municipality and PTA Environmental Concerns Chair Rob Papke to plan an unique event that culminates with the raising of the Tree City USA flag and the planting of a tree supplied by Mt. Lebanon Public Works Department. The theme varies from year to year, with students making posters to illustrate it. In keeping with the Centennial, this year’s theme is “Trees Help Make History.”

The children’s posters promoting the event currently are on view at Pamela Diner and in the windows of various Uptown stores.

Washington Principal Mary Kay Davis and Washington PTA Environmental Chair Bonnie Dougherty have outdone themselves this year with plans for the celebration. Guests will be invited to see student artwork, including a Centennial mosaic composed of colorful ceramic medallions made by each Washington student and teacher. The school’s band and orchestra will play. Students will sing songs about the environment, and in a special tribute to the Centennial, will sing “Happy Birthday” in Spanish.  Students will read poems and present a “Family Tree” project, in keeping with the “Trees Help Make History” theme.

Commissioner Kelly Fraasch will welcome everyone to the ceremony and School Board President Jo Posti will lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Boy Scouts will raise the American Flag and Girl Scouts will raise the Tree City USA flag.

If you’re in the neighborhood on April 20, you are welcome to join in the festivities.  Otherwise, a video of the event will appear the following week on the school and municipal websites.