Brookwood Elementary Gets a Boost of Green

Update: 12-6-11, 2:10 p.m. (comment from Kathie Braswell, Principal of Brookwood Elementary)

It’s going to look a lot different around this coming spring. With generous donations from area businesses, farms and nurseries, together with a group of dedicated parent volunteers, 31 new trees were planted on the school’s campus on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Many feared strong winds and wet, cold weather but as it turned out, Mother Nature smiled on the group of volunteers who arrived with shovels in hand at 7:30 a.m. With only the promise of hot cocoa, coffee and doughnuts, they went to work on the frozen ground.

The tree planting is the result of a major push by Brookwood Elementary’s PTA and parent Dina Majoli, to complete what it deemed the "Tree Initiative."

"I am in awe of our parents, students and staff for their support of this initiative," said Kathie Braswell, Principal of Brookwood Elementary. "The PTA and Dina Majoli, in particular, are amazing. They dedicated many hours to getting the community and business partners involved. It is exciting to have such a tremendous show of support as we continue to make Brookwood a great place for children to learn."

Like so much new construction in Forsyth County, Brookwood Elementary opened its doors in 2009 with some pretty sparse surroundings. The school’s staff, headed by Principal Kathie Braswell and the Brookwood PTA, worked diligently to make sure the inside of the building came to life with warmth and welcome for Brookwood students. But the outside still left a lot to be desired. Sure there were trees, but they were not plentiful or large enough to provide much shade from the blistering spring and summer months. And the heat and lack of shade also affected the , which is held on school grounds from May until September.

But this spring things will be different. Students will be able to take a break from spring testing while sitting in the shade provided by one of many beautiful elm trees. Famers’ Market patrons can bring a picnic blanket and relax while listening to the live music and munching on their fresh finds.

The PTA set out to complete their goal by asking area businesses to become partners in education by donating $100 towards the purchase of a tree. In turn, that tree would be named in their honor. Businesses such as Susan Chambers’ School of Theater Dance, Tam’s Backstage, PNC Bank, Brookwood Elementary Faculty, and Lambert High School all willingly agreed to support the cause. In addition, any classroom reaching 100 percent PTA participation would also earn a tree.

The PTA also reached out to several nurseries, farms, and landscape design companies for assistance and donations in order to make the dream a reality.

Avery Howell of Proclaim Landscape stepped forward at the beginning, donating his talent and skills in the form of a complete landscape plan for Brookwood Elementary. Shortly thereafter, , , USA Landcare and also donated trees. All told 31 trees were donated and planted.

Students and teachers from the 12 classrooms that earned 100 percent PTA participation will get to take part in a ceremonial planting of their tree during school hours this week.