Liaison reports: NASA Moon Tree planted at West Windsor Arboretum; NJSBA activity and local grief support fundraiser noted

A board liaison told the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Board of Education that Dutch Neck Elementary School received an Artemis "Moon Tree" seedling after a successful grant application and partnership involving the West Windsor Recreation Commission and West Windsor Public Works.

The liaison said the seedling was germinated from a seed that flew on a February 2022 NASA mission and that the USDA Forest Service nurtured the seedling before it was sent to public education institutions. Third graders in Mr. Eichelburner's class at Dutch Neck were named stewards of the tree, and the specimen was planted at the West Windsor Arboretum. The liaison described the project as part of the federal Moon Tree Project and the USDA Forest Service's educational outreach.

The liaison also summarized recent New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) activity attended on behalf of the district, including spring training opportunities, an AI conference and the spring law forum; delegates considered three resolutions at a recent assembly, and new state officers were sworn in for the next two-year term.

Separately, a board member noted a Community Middle School Unified Grief Support Group event: a 5K run/walk on May 18 at Mercer County Community College, a fundraiser to provide resources for children and families coping with loss, including district staff and families.

These updates were presented during the liaison report portion of the meeting and are informational; no board action was recorded on these items.