The Learning Trail offers four programs to serve the
Nature Trail Community

Early Childhood Program

Preschool:  Three- and four-year-old children participate in a language-enriched program that emphasizes developmental and pre-academic skills.   Our bilingual Preschool teachers provides a variety of activities to prepare children to enter kindergarten. These include English language acquisition, learning the letters and their sounds, colors, shapes, songs, and appropriate classroom behavior. The program is offered 4 days per week.

Kindergarten, First and Second grades:  Each group meets one day per week after school to reinforce the curriculum used at Chatham Elementary School but also to enhance language acquisition, foundational skills in reading and math, and foster a sense of early academic success. After a short group lesson, children are tutored on a one-on-one basis by volunteers.

Elementary Program

Grades 3-5 also meet one day per week and students are tutored individually with an emphasis on expanding reading, writing and math skills. As their individual needs become more apparent, tutors can focus on the most critical academic areas.

Enrichment program

Students are offered a variety of enrichment activities. They are designed to provide authentic learning opportunities and experiences, including field trips to museums, botanical gardens, and other venues of interest.  Presentations by guest speakers and artists are also included.  Special game/craft/cooking days and story time presentations will be offered, as well.

Parent Program

The Learning Trail has developed a Parent Program that offers a variety of evening programs to address issues relating to children’s social and academic development.  Outside speakers and facilitators have offered sessions dealing with children’s social and emotional development, ways to support a child’s learning at home, and healthy family relationships. These programs are offered in Spanish, with dinner and childcare, to make it as easy as possible for parents to attend.  Over time, this had created a support group for parents who face challenges in navigating our educational system.

Our educational goals

• Provide a supportive and welcoming environment

• Reinforce concepts in reading, writing, and speaking

• Reinforce basic math skills

• Develop and extend vocabulary

• Build self-esteem and confidence as learners

What We've Achieved

Over the years, the Learning Trail has supported countless children in their academics, reinforced basic skills, and exposed children to enrichment opportunities to expand their horizons. Their teachers have stated that the Learning Trail students seem better prepared and more focused on their studies. With our enhanced Early Childhood Program, we have boosted kindergarten readiness so that our youngest students can start their academic careers on a par with their peers. Through our Parent Education Program, we are building a community of parents who are better informed on early childhood development and the expectations of our school system.

Health and Safety Precautions and Protocols

The Learning Trail continues to implement measures to create a safe and healthy environment for teachers, volunteers, and children. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Frequent hand washing and good hygiene around snack preparation and clean-up.

• Daily cleaning and disinfecting of the classrooms.

• Good ventilation, including the use of air purifiers.

• A policy of keeping students and teachers home when showing signs of illness.

• It is strongly recommended that all staff and volunteers be fully vaccinated and boosted for Covid-19.