Elementary students from Portland Public Schools recently created original ornaments that are now decorating Maine’s tree as part of the 2024 National Christmas Tree display at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Led by their teacher, 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard, third graders from East End Community School designed ornaments for the Maine tree this year as part of the “America Celebrates” ornament program, an annual collaboration of the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Park Foundation. Through this program, ordinary Americans create ornaments to symbolize the history, heritage, and culture of their homelands.
In third grade, my students explore the history of the Presumpscot River, which flows into the bay visible from our classroom windows. We learn how the Wabanaki tribes have served as water protectors of these rivers, both in the past and today, and we take action to support rivers and the diverse life they sustain. Our ornaments showcase the flora and fauna found along the banks of the Presumpscot, symbolizing what we strive to protect, as we join the Wabanaki in being water protectors.
The tree-lighting event will air on CBS 13 on Dec. 20.
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