All CHS students work to beautify and improve locations at CHS, CGS, and Cohen Recreation Complex
BY JIM BEERS, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – Chester High School continued an annual event this year that corresponded with the National-Wide “Earth Day” celebration. Thursday and Friday April 20-21, 2023 students at CHS were involved in a variety of activities designed to beautify and improve areas at three locations in Chester.
Robin Barton, Assistant Principal, and Jeremy Blechle, CHS Principal, proudly stand before the beautiful tulip bed and school sign that greets guests to Chester High School at the main entrance. Jim Beers Photo
The annual CHS Earth Day activities are organized and coordinated by science teacher, Evelyn Hankins. She is assisted by fellow science teacher, Brittany Mueller. All CHS teachers are also involved in supervising various work groups of students and all CHS students are assigned to a work group.
Hankins prepared a 21-page booklet detailing every aspect of the day from assigning teacher assignments, and assigning specific students to work groups.
This year there were three different locations that were selected to receive the efforts of the various work groups that were assigned. Each location had several different areas in which the students and teachers provided beautification and improvement services.
A CHS work crew spreads gravel on one of the exercise stops at the Cohen Recreation Complex as part of the Chester High School Earth Day projects. Jim Beers Photo
The three locations in Chester chosen to receive the Earth Day services included the Chester High School, the Chester Grade School, and the Cohen Recreation Complex and Chester Welcome Sign.
On Thursday April 20 there was a brief all-school assembly at which the Earth Day procedures were announced and discussed. All students were educated regarding how the day was to be organized and carried out.
Students work sanitizing and painting recycling barrels at CHS during Earth Day 2023 activities. Jim Beers Photo
On Friday morning, April 21, operational procedures were initiated and the Earth Day program was conducted. From 8:00-8:15 students reported to their 1st hour classes. From 8:15 until 8:25 students reported to Colbert Gym to be organized into their 8th hour classes (work groups).
Following attendance and organizing into groups, students and supervisory teachers went to their assigned destinations to begin beautification efforts. Those reporting to Cohen Complex and Chester Grade School were transported by SWIBCO busses. Students and teachers working at the Chester High School Campus required no transportation and began their work projects immediately. Beautification efforts began at 8:25 and terminated at approximately 10:50 a.m.
It rained Thursday night into Friday morning and the temperatures were in the 60’s, but by school time, the rain had stopped and conditions were favorable to go full steam ahead with the Earth Day activities. The ground was damp, even wet in some places, however, it was still possible to conduct beautification projects without major issues.
Evelyn Hankins (left), and Brittany Mueller (right) pose for a photo on Earth Day 2023 at Chester High School. In the background is one of the new Japanese Maple trees planted on the campus as part of the Earth Day 2023 activities. Hankins coordinated the 2023 project while Muller assisted with the efforts. Both are science teachers at Chester High School. Jim Beers Photo
Altogether, 30 teachers and staff took 30 work crews into the three work areas for the work efforts including 13 crews at Chester High School, nine crews at the Chester Grade School, and eight crews at the Cohen Recreation Complex and Chester Welcome Sign.
Mrs. Hankins worked feverishly planning every aspect of the various work activities including a 21-page manual detailing the number of students per crew, supplies needed for their assigned duties, equipment needed. Teachers and staff knew exactly how to manage and supervise each work assignment.
The CHS Art Club was assigned to Ms. Appel and Mrs. Krieg and consisted of 16 members. The CHS Environmental Green Team assisted “set up” and “clean up” in the cafeteria for the school-wide lunch cookout. Students in the Journalism Competition were with Mr. Springston, and four young men were assigned to assist the CHS Custodial Staff.
Chester High School staff, Adrainne Kern, Tisha Coffey, and Lila Zeiger, take time out from their supervising for a quick photo Friday April 21 at the 2023 Earth Day event. The threesome was in charge of a student work crew of 53 students assigned to help beautify and improve several areas at the Cohen Recreation Complex. Jim Beers Photo
Mrs. Hankins and Mrs. Mueller monitored activities throughout the day using the new, hi-tech walkie-talkies that CHS purchased earlier in the year. Each work group supervisor was equipped with such a walkie-talkie.
Hankins planned for emergencies and safety precautions including first aid, water and sun screen. Students and staff that had various allergies were identified, and the need for hats and protective gloves was stressed.
Billy Belton, Park Superintendent at the Cohen Recreation Complex, guided the work efforts of the Chester High School students that donated their time and effort at the complex during Earth Day 2023 Woyk Day. Jim Beers Photo
WORK AREAS/LOCATIONS
(Note: some numbers regarding work crews may be incorrect due to student absences)
Chester Grade School (Nine work crews)
Outside activities
Nine crews were sent to the Chester Grade School. Some worked outside and others worked inside. Juenger had 12 students and Millberg had 13 students.
Students mulch trees at Chester High School as one of many work and beautification projects conducted during Earth Day 2023. Jim Beers Photo
Juenger worked on the left stone garden at the school’s entrance while Millberg worked on the stone garden at the right of the entrance. They cleaned out each garden, laid down weed barrier, trimmed bushes, and picked up all waste materials.
Mueller (15) and Miller (13) took their 28 students to the CGS pavilion, electronic sign and trees that lined the driveway leading to CGS. They basically applied mulch to those areas and cleaned up the areas.
This group of students was under the supervision of Dwight Lochhead and Bryce Bainter Friday April 21 during Earth Day 2023 activities at Chester High School. They worked extremely hard clearing a pathway beyond the CHS Track and Field area and even beyond the football practice field area. This effort included cutting down small trees and bushes and removing anything growing in the way of the path. In addition, they picked up trash and debris along the new pathway. Jim Beers Photo
Inside activities
Inside, CHS students conducted two main projects. Some assisted Grade School students to make “dirt pudding” in the CGS cafeteria while others went to classrooms to help students decorate and plant flower pots.
Dirt Pudding: Grau (14) and Boyd (10) took 24 CHS students to the CGS cafeteria to direct the grade-schoolers in making “Dirt Pudding”. They worked with 149 students including students 28, 1st graders (14) Whiteside & (14) Bierman; 57, 4th graders (18) Surman, (19) Jany, & (20) Schnoeker; and 64, 5th graders (21) Handel, (21) Liefer, & (22), Furuholmen.
Volunteers Randy Blechle (left) and Glenn Barton (right) cooked hundreds of hot dogs and hamburgers for the 2023 Chester High School Earth Day Celebration. Following the conclusion of the morning beautification and work activities, students enjoyed a school-wide cookout on the front lawn of CHS. Blechle is the father of Jeremy Blechle, CHS Principal, and Barton is the husband of Robin Barton, CHS Assistant Principal. Both did a excellent job of cooking for the entire student body and staff. Jim Beers Photo
“Dirt Pudding” is a tasty chocolate treat that consists of pudding, Oreos, topped off with two gummy worms. Individual pudding cups were covered with plastic wrap for delivering to classrooms.
This fun activity was a way to bring attention to soil the importance of protecting our earth. Gummy worms represented the real worms that are so important in helping to aerate our earth. The entire project was just a fun means of drawing attention to the importance of helping to protect our earth.
Flower Pots: Carroll (12) and Hammel (16) took 28 CHS students into the CGS classrooms to help grade school students plant a flower pot for Mother’s Day. Some students chose to paint their pots instead of planting a flower in them.
CHS students help Chester Grade School students paint clay flower pots as part of the Earth Day activities help Friday April 21. The pots were then eventually filled with plants to be given to CGS parents for Mother’s Day gifts. Lynn Gonzalez Photo
A total of 161 grade school students took part in this activity including 18 (T. Jany’s Kindergarten), 15 (Marshall 1st), 14 (Martinez 1st), 8 (Gonzalez 1st), 21 (Herrell, 2nd), 20 (Middendorf, 2nd), 20 (K. Jany, 2nd), 15 (Lochhead, 3rd), 15 (Kennedy, 3rd), & 15 (Gielow, 3rd).
Students enjoy a grilled meal of hot dogs and hamburgers with all of the side dishes at the 2023 earth Day cook out. It was an all-school event topped off with homemade “Dirt Pudding” with fresh Gummy Worms for dessert. Jim Beers Photo
Mrs. Middendorf said, “What a fantastic day! These kidos loved it! Please come back next year. We’d love to do something again.”
Chester High School (13 work crews)
(Some numbers may be incorrect due to student absences)
At Chester High School there were three major beautification areas or project areas including Small Gardens, Front & Side Gardens, & a Back Field Path and Track Area.
CHS Language Arts Teacher Sarah Hammel helps guide grade school students in planting fresh plants in decorated clay flowerpots during Earth Day activities Friday April 21. The flowers will be later use as Mother’s Day gifts for the CGS parents. Becky Gielow Photo
Small Gardens. There are 3 small gardens that are in front of the windows in front of the breezeway and science classes. Colonel (9) & Surman (12) had two work crews totaling 21 students that worked in these gardens.
In the center and right gardens students mulched and cleaned up the area while in the left flower bed, students removed the old red border stones and replaced them with retaining wall decorative bricks. Soil was then added to fill the new garden and mulch was placed around the plants.
A group of CHS students that just returned from a morning of working at the Chester Grade School doing several beautification and improvement activities takes a rest on the picnic tables in front of the Chester High School. The group had just completed the long walk back to CHS from CGS after being at the grade school for a two- hour work session mulching flower beds, laying weed barriers, planting flower pots, and making “Dirt Pudding” as part of Earth Day 2023 festivities. Jim Beers Photo
Front & Side Gardens. In the front and side gardens, Wente (15) & Werner (14) had a crew of 29 students that laid weed barrier and added mulch to all gardens including the harden by the cafeteria door, the raised garden by the new handicapped ramp, the raised garden by Swanwick Street, the front garden by the CHS sign, and the side garden by the football field side of the school. These crews also mulched around several trees on the front lawn.
Back Field Path and Dr. Charles R. Young Memorial Track. Bainter (15) and Lochhead (13) had a crew of 28 students that worked creating a pathway beyond the back practice field behind the CHS Track and Field Complex.
This is one of the finished products resulting from the 2023 Chester High School Earth Day beautification efforts. CHS students cleaned and mulched the area around and in back of the CGS outdoor pavilion as part of the CGS Earth Day portion of the overall day-long project. Jim Beers Photo
This crew cut down small trees and bushes and marked the path with orange paint and pick flags. They removed anything growing and cleared all sticks and fallen trees. In addition they picked up trash around the track including tree lines and the wooded area where the path will be.
Old tires, barrels and metal objects were gathered and stacked. Old blocking dummies were thrown away and the area was cleaned with debris bagged for garbage pickup. Big metal items were stacked for recycling.
Mr. Lochhead said, “My crew worked really hard! Creating that pathway behind the practice football field beyond the track was not easy and all of my kids gave 100 % to get it done. I am very proud of their efforts.”
Chester High School Cooks take a brief break from preparing all of the side dishes and beverages for the 2023 earth Day All-School Cookout as part of the 2023 Earth Day Celebration. Their side dishes added to the fresh, hot hamburgers and hot dogs that were grilled by Randy Blechle and Glenn Barton made for a very delicious meal for the hungry students and staff that spent the morning working on beautification jobs around CHS, CGS, and the Cohen Recreation Complex. Jim Beers Photo
Plastic Recycling Barrels. Appel and Krieg had a crew of 17 students that refurbished seven (7) recycling barrels that are used at CHS for collecting recycling items.
The barrels were washed and sanitized and thoroughly scrubbed after which they were primed with plastic primer for painting. Students then painted recycling designs on each barrel. Some barrels were decorated with beautiful bright colors and designs such a flowers, etc. The barrels were then put into use throughout the school and property.
Ms. Appel said, “We had a blast working on the recycling barrels. My group was really artistic decorating the barrels that will be located around the school. They did a great job from start to finish and should be proud of their work.
Chester High School students mulched all of the beautiful flower beds around the school during the 2023 Earth Day celebration. Shown here is the finished product of their efforts in the tulip bed surrounding the “Welcon[me to Chester High School “sign at the main entrance to the school. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Welcome Sign entering from north Rt.3 (1 work crew)
Zeiger had 1 work crew of (15 students) to work at this location. They cut down dead brush and weeded the area. They then applied weed barrier and cut the barrier to allow plants and bushes to grow through. Finally they mulched the area and cleaned the area. Biodegradable remains were put in biodegradable bags and left for pickup by the City of Chester.
Cohen Recreation Complex (6 work crews)
This group of 14 CHS Art Club students supervised by staff members Krieg and Appel had just completed washing, scrubbing, sanitizing, drying, and decorating eight new recycling barrels to be used at Chester High School throughout the year. The group did an excellent job and their efforts will help foster continued recycling efforts at and around the CHS building and grounds for yrars to come. Jim Beers Photo
(Note: Some numbers regarding work crews may vary depending on absences and other conflicts).
Coffey (13), Kern (11), and Hodge (14) supervised a total of 38 students at the Cohen Recreation Complex where they worked in beautification and cleaning activities at the 1) Exercise Areas, 2) Swings, and 3) Trees.
Billy Belton, Cohen Complex Superintendent, was on hand to direct activities at the complex and was extremely pleased with the efforts of the Earth Day crews.
Chester High School Earth Day Supervisors test the grilled hot dogs and hamburgers prior to allowing the food items to be eaten by the students. Apparently, all food was deemed fit for eating as several hundred hot digs and burgers were consumed throughout the noon all-school cookout. Doing the brave job of testing the food were Jeremy Blechle, Principal Robin Barton, Assistant Principal, Evelyn Hankins, Earth Day Coordinator, and Brittany Mueller, Assistant Earth Day Coordinator. Randy Blechle and Glenn Barton, chefs for the event, were given approval as the meat was delicious and devoured by all. Jim Beers Photo
“I really want to thank the high school for helping us out with all of their work efforts. The kids did a great job and we really appreciate it! It is nice seeing the school giving back to the community and we hope that they can come back again next year!”
Crews added gravel to all exercise areas. They then removed old weed barriers at the swings and replaced it with new weed barriers. Mulch was then added on top of the barriers to deter weed growth. Finally, mulch was applied to the three trees in front of Field 1 and to the two trees behind Field 1.
Another finished product from the wonderful efforts of Chester High School students who worked to beautify several areas at Chester Grade School Friday April 21 during Earth Day 2023 activities. Shwon here is the main entrance to the grade school. Both garden areas were weeded, weed barrier was installed, and azalea plants were planted. The area was then fully mulched. The result was a beautiful entry way into the CGS main lobby. Jim Beers Photo
SCHOOLWIDE COOKOUT
Most students returned to CHS by approximately 11:00 -11:15 a.m. Prior to that, CHS Cooks had been working on a delicious meal to be served in outside, picnic fashion. Mr. Blechle’s father, Randy Blechle, and Mrs. Barton’s husband, Glenn Barton, grilled hundreds of hamburgers and hot dogs for the meal. Belton, Hoskin, Jamie, Tina and Miles helped to make delicious “Dirt Pudding” for dessert. Students ate outside in front of the Dr. James F. Sharp Cafeteria.
CLEANUP AFTER COOKOUT
Environmental Club students, custodians, and Ms. Justenin’s 12 students helped set up and clean up following the conclusion of the noontime cookout. Hoskin also added her skills in both pre-and-post cookout preparations.
CHS students gather at the meeting area in front of the concession stand at Field 1 at the Cohen Recreation Complex. Throughout the morning of Friday April 21 workers converged at that location to get mulch, discuss, their next assignments, and rest up, prior to being sent to another task at the Cohen Complex. It was all part of the Chester High School Earth Day beautification project for 2023. Jim Beers Photo
EARTH DAY GAMES
The afternoon was spent continuing the 2023 Earth Day theme with games help in Colbert Gymnasium. Games started at 12:30 p.m. and concluded at approximately 1:45 p.m. Students chad the opportunity to compete in two games; Class Jump Rope; and Earth Day Trivia Contest. In another area there was an art contest being held that had an Earth Day theme.
The Sophomore Class of 2025 won the art contest. The Junior Class of 2024 won both the Earth Day Trivia Contest and the Jump Rope Contest.
The Environmental Club sold Earth Day 2023 T-Shirts for those who wished to help support the theme of the day. Students and staff wearing the T-Shirts were quite visible throughout the day wearing their bright blue shirts.
Mrs. Hankins said, “Earth Day went great this year! Besides doing area beautification at CHS and in the community, this year we also included the Chester Grade School. Students from the high school worked in grades k-6 making ‘Dirt Pudding” and planting pansies in pots that were decorated by the CGS students.”
“Overall I believe that everyone who participated had a good time. The weather was great! It was not too hot and not too cool. The delicious lunch and the Earth Day Games in the afternoon rounded out a great day!”
“I would like to thank all of the students, faculty, cooks, and custodians, at both the high school and the grade school, as well as the Superintendent, Mrs. Briggs, for all of the support in celebrating Earth Day!”
“Finally, I would like to thank Billy Belton, Cohen Park Superintendent, for all of his help and support at that location. Thanks to Randy Blechle and Glenn Barton for grilling, Mary Ann Heberlie for her donation of mulch, and Rozier’s, Country Market and Walmart for their donations of sunscreen.”
CHS Principal, Jeremy Blechle said, “This has been a great day! Hats off to Mrs. Hankins and Ms. Mueller for doing a wonderful job of coordinating this well-planned event. The students have worked very hard and everyone deserves a lot of recognition for their hard work and dedication to Earth Day 2023 here at CHS!”