Councilmember Tom LaBonge helped young Trevor plant a tree at Frances Blend School. (photo by Jose Martinez)

Children from the Frances Blend School for the Blind and Councilmember Tom LaBonge, 4th District, planted a lemon tree Monday in observance of Earth Day. Accepting a challenge from the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Sanitation for all schools participating in its recycling program, the school took on the responsibility of planting and maintaining a tree. A total of 23 schools answered the call, including Laurel Elementary School and Grant Elementary School.

“We are thrilled that Frances Blend has stepped forward in this effort to show the world that everyone can do something positive for the environment,” LaBonge said.

Frances Blend School for the Blind, located at 5210 Clinton St., is the only public school west of the Mississippi River that serves children in a regular classroom who are legally blind and have other accompanying disabilities. Principal Nancy Cohen, who maintains a garden in the schoolyard, values the learning tool planting offers her students.

“This means the world to them,” Cohen said. “Our students learn by doing, and planting and seeing life grow is the way they learn.”

-By Jose Martinez