Orange Elementary PTA

Teachers can enjoy taking students outdoors to one of the nine newly completed stations located throughout our campus. Perhaps you'll see a MHS art class drawing outdoors, or a Brady class gathering at its new amphitheater, or a high school biology class examining and working in one of the natural settings. We continue to work with staff to determine needs for this important project. This project was made possible through the generosity of Heinen's ABC Shopping Program (Assisting Schools Building Futures Community Commitment).

What is OLNT?
How is it Used?
What's Next?
How Can I Benefit?
Do Other Schools have Similar Programs at Other Schools?

What Is OLNT?

The Outdoor Learning and Nature Trails (OLNT) on the campus of Orange schools is a unique outdoor classroom that benefits students in grades K-12, as well as the communities served by the district. Fourteen sites provide meeting space in the beautiful surroundings of our 179 acre campus. These sites are accessed by interconnected paths, many of which are paved. You can see a map of the trails by viewing our

Outdoor Learning and Nature Trails Resource Guide

How Is It Used?

Students from Moreland Hills Elementary use OLNT to explore plants and weather, study the food chain, observe the effects of erosion, inspire sensory writing projects, document plant life, and to participate in team building exercises and outdoor adventure activities.

Brady Middle School and Orange High School students use OLNT as an outdoor chemistry classroom, to generate ideas for poetry and writing units, erosion and water shed studies, photography and art classes, crime scene analysis and hands-on student engagement.

What’s Next?

PTA is currently purchasing teacher-requested equipment and implementing a website where teachers throughout the district can share usage and curriculum integration ideas. Several teachers are also participating in a new Adopt-A-Site/Trail program. These teachers will work with their classes to research and develop site habitats. This development may include plantings, informational signage, curriculum development, and invitations to other classes to share findings. This Adopt-A-Site/Trail program is open to all teachers, as well as student and community groups. Contact PTA to get involved! In the 2007 year, a ten station fitness trail will be added to the OLNT. Over $16,000 was raised this school year through the Heinen's ABC Program which supports this project.

How Can I Benefit From OLNT?

The ideas are as endless as your creativity!

Hold a book club meeting at one of our wooded sites.
Plan your next birthday party on the trails or sports fields and use a seating area for crafts or cake.
Take a family hike through the woods.
Plan an afternoon of team building activities for your student group or sports team.
Take a walk after dropping your child off or picking them up at the end of the school day.

Do Other Schools Have Similar Programs?

Our OLNT mirrors a growing national and international trend to extend learning opportunities beyond the classroom, capitalizing on the potential of outdoor spaces. The following websites are helpful in understanding the benefits and possibilities of outdoor learning.

www.spart5.k12.sc.us/SCALE/
www.arlington.k12.va.us/schools/tuckahoe/schoolyard/overview.html
www.edutopia.org/1131
www.asbj.com/2005/05/0505asbjhankin.pdf
www.asbj.com/lbd/2003/grounds.html