In conjunction with Rainbow Gardens and Whole Foods Market, Olmos Elementary School students welcomed another oak tree to their campus in celebration of Earth Day 2008. "Mrs. Oaky" was planted next to "Mr. Oaky," who was won earlier in the year through a Whole Foods Markets competition. The tree planting ceremony was part of Earth Conscious Activities planned by the newly establish S.T.E.P. Club (Save The Earth Program) formed by fourth-grade students.

"We planted Ms. Oaky because we need trees because they give us oxygen," said Sadie, Olmos student. "If we didn't have trees, there would not be any homes for animals."

"We planted the trees so that one day, our kids will see what we did when we were their age," said Santiago, Olmos student.

Rainbow Gardens donated "Mrs. Oaky" (a Mexican White Oak), and Whole Foods Market donated organic compost and soil.

"S.T.E.P is a way to help kids learn about taking care of our environment and try to make a difference in our Earth by finding ways to help it," said Perrin, Olmos student.

The S.T.E.P. group started as a small endeavor—a contest to win a tree for our new playground—that grew to Owl Mail, a way for students to practice their writing skills with Pen Pals from Whole Foods. Activities then culminated to "Ornaments for the Planet," a winter project in which fourth and fifth grade students raised more than $2,080 for The Whole Planet Foundation through the sale of student-made ornaments. Through these activities a greater consciousness was born amongst students for more ways to make a difference in our planet. The group's motto, Takin' Little STEPS to a better Planet, has now grown into an ongoing organized student club: S.T.E.P (Save The Earth Program).

"In S.T.E.P, we pick up trash from the playground and around the whole school," said Zeke, Olmos student. "We recycle, and plant trees and plants to give us clean oxygen."

"We started S.T.E.P because we think that we can change the world, and one day we will meet our goal and maybe we might save the world from Global Warming," said Julian, Olmos student. "We are here and we are waiting for people to come with us and to join us."