Niu Valley Middle School held a ceremonial tree-planting today to mark completion of the environment and community service requirements of the school's international baccalaureate program.

The planting, the highlight of a schoolwide assembly, included use of the first harvesting by students of vermicastings as fertilizer for newly planted plants trees and shrubs.

Ongoing environmental projects at the school include communtiy recycling and recycling bins in each classroom.

Jack and Susan Groh of the NFL Environmental Program and University of Hawaii-Manoa football coach Greg McMackin gave talks to the students.