May Howard Elementary School will celebrate the signing of a $10,000 Making the Shade Grant sponsored by the Georgia Forestry Commission on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. on the school’s campus.

The Georgia Forestry Commission’s initiative, Making the Shade, will help May Howard with the planting of 45 trees to provide shade on the playground for elementary students. Oatland Island and Georgia Southern Botanical Garden Educators will help provide staff development to May Howard teachers to integrate outdoor tree lessons into their curriculum.

The Making the Shade Grant Program emphasizes the following health benefits of shade trees:

• Elevated surface temperatures of school yards and playground equipment can cause serious and painful burns to students.
• Children’s skin damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes of overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. 
• Elevated playground temperatures reduce air quality and increase risks for children with asthma and other lung related issues.
• Studies also show that performing activities in green settings can reduce the symptoms of AD/HD, and teenage girls with green views score better on tests of self-discipline, and more.

The signing celebration will include a short presentation by May Howard students, recognition of volunteering organizations, and the signing of the Making the Shade Grant. 

May Howard Elementary School volunteers, PTA members and the Savannah Tree Foundation will begin planting trees in the fall.

For more information, contact Susan Daly at 201-5200 or visit the Georgia Forestry Commission website at www.gfc.state.ga.us.