LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Friday was Earth Day. Some completed their act of green by going green, cleaning up neighborhoods and reducing their carbon footprint. Students and their families at Waldorf School of Louisville celebrated Earth Day by beautifying their campus. 

What You Need To Know

  • Waldorf School of Louisville planted trees on campus on Earth Day

  • The trees were planted in honor of a late music and art teacher

  • It is the first project of the school’s campus beautification initiative 

  • Students and staff describe the late teacher as a beloved community member


Waldorf School fourth grader Crawford McGraw is not much of a green thumb, but helping to turn her school campus green was a cause she could dig. 

“I’m out here planting a tree in honor of probably one of my favorite teachers, Mrs. Cari,” McGraw said.

Cari Norris was McGraw’s music teacher at Waldorf School of Louisville. 

She passed away earlier this month, leaving her students heartbroken.

“She was nice. She talked to me when I was upset and she was—I don’t know, she’s just amazing,” McGraw said.

The butterfly magnolia tree was donated by Waldorf parents. (Spectrum News 1/Ashley N. Brown)
The butterfly magnolia tree was donated by Waldorf parents. (Spectrum News 1/Ashley N. Brown)

To kick off Earth Day, students planted a yellow butterfly magnolia tree in honor of Mrs. Norris.  

Norris was a nature-loving painter and professional singer. 

McGraw never saw her teacher perform on stage, but she was lucky enough to hear her sing melodies almost every day. 

“It’s very beautiful. She’s a very beautiful singer,” McGraw said.

Her voice is missed by her students. 

“Everyone in our class, everyone in the whole entire school is sad, but like my friend Bonnie said, if you see a butterfly, then that means she’s okay. If she’s okay, that’s fine,” McGraw said. “It’s fine with me.”

The tree will always remind her of that.   

The butterfly magnolia tree was donated by Waldorf parents. 

The tree planting was the first project of a new campus beautification initiative. 

Students also planted herbs in the courtyard and pollinator bushes in a community garden circle for parents.  

Students even got to take home eastern red cedar trees to plant at home thanks to a donation from UPS, Louisville Sustainability Council and Neighborhood Forest.