Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School has been named a 2025-2026 Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation, a recognition that celebrates the school’s commitment to trees, environmental education, hands-on learning, and community engagement. This recognition is a meaningful milestone for Candy’s Creek Cherokee and reflects the care, teamwork, and community partnerships that continue to help the campus grow as a beautiful and welcoming place for students, staff, families, and visitors. Mrs. Rebecca Lay, an educator at Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School and leader of the school’s PTO, helped guide the effort to earn Tree Campus recognition. Through her work with students, families, staff, and community partners, Mrs. Lay supported the application process and helped champion the school’s continued focus on environmental education, outdoor learning, and campus beautification. “The young people of today are the environmental stewards of tomorrow. By nurturing an appreciation for trees in its students, schools like Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School are helping shape a better future for all of us,” said Michelle Saulnier, Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. “We’re proud of Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School’s dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for students to interact with trees and help cultivate a lifelong respect for nature.” Trees on school grounds provide more than beauty. They offer shade, help reduce extreme heat, improve air quality, support physical health, and contribute to students’ mental and cognitive well-being. “This is such exciting news for Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School,” said Dr. Jeff Elliott, Director of Cleveland City Schools. “The trees on this campus make it a beautiful place to learn and grow, but this recognition is really about much more than that. It reflects the hard work, creativity, and partnerships that are helping students connect with nature in meaningful ways. We are especially proud of Mrs. Lay for her leadership as both a teacher and PTO leader, and for the heart she has put into making this recognition possible.” To earn Tree Campus recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation, schools must uphold four core standards. These include maintaining a tree campus team, creating an education plan that connects students to trees and their benefits, offering a hands-on experience that engages students with trees and the community, and holding an Arbor Day celebration. The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus program is operated in collaboration with Project Learning Tree and Sustainable Forestry Initiative. To learn more about the program or how to apply, visit arborday.org.

Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary Earns 2025-2026 Tree Campus Recognition from Arbor Day Foundation

Cleveland City Schools

June 10, 2026

Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School has been named a 2025-2026 Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation, a recognition that celebrates the school’s commitment to trees, environmental education, hands-on learning, and community engagement.

This recognition is a meaningful milestone for Candy’s Creek Cherokee and reflects the care, teamwork, and community partnerships that continue to help the campus grow as a beautiful and welcoming place for students, staff, families, and visitors.

Mrs. Rebecca Lay, an educator at Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School and leader of the school’s PTO, helped guide the effort to earn Tree Campus recognition. Through her work with students, families, staff, and community partners, Mrs. Lay supported the application process and helped champion the school’s continued focus on environmental education, outdoor learning, and campus beautification.

“The young people of today are the environmental stewards of tomorrow. By nurturing an appreciation for trees in its students, schools like Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School are helping shape a better future for all of us,” said Michelle Saulnier, Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. “We’re proud of Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School’s dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for students to interact with trees and help cultivate a lifelong respect for nature.”

Trees on school grounds provide more than beauty. They offer shade, help reduce extreme heat, improve air quality, support physical health, and contribute to students’ mental and cognitive well-being.

“This is such exciting news for Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School,” said Dr. Jeff Elliott, Director of Cleveland City Schools. “The trees on this campus make it a beautiful place to learn and grow, but this recognition is really about much more than that. It reflects the hard work, creativity, and partnerships that are helping students connect with nature in meaningful ways. We are especially proud of Mrs. Lay for her leadership as both a teacher and PTO leader, and for the heart she has put into making this recognition possible.”

To earn Tree Campus recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation, schools must uphold four core standards. These include maintaining a tree campus team, creating an education plan that connects students to trees and their benefits, offering a hands-on experience that engages students with trees and the community, and holding an Arbor Day celebration.

The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus program is operated in collaboration with Project Learning Tree and Sustainable Forestry Initiative. To learn more about the program or how to apply, visit arborday.org.