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Snow School nature‑based preschool pilot draws board interest; leaders seek district program status
Summary
Preschool teachers and a nonprofit partner described a three‑year nature‑based pilot at Snow School that serves about 40 three‑ and four‑year‑olds (about half receiving special education services), funded in part by the Rockville Foundation and partner volunteers.
Two preschool teachers and a community partner told the Board of Education on Dec. 9 that a multi‑year nature‑based learning pilot at Snow School has expanded and is being evaluated for a district program.
Vicky Thompson, a nature mentor with the nonprofit Everyone Outside, and Sigrid Atherton, a Snow School preschool special education teacher, outlined the pilot’s timeline and partnerships. Thompson said planning began in 2023, the pilot used biweekly — now weekly — Forest Friday hikes, and the program built partnerships with Wesleyan volunteers for composting and sustainability projects. Atherton said the program serves about 40 students ages 3 and 4 across two classes, with the classrooms operating as inclusion models and approximately 50% of students receiving special education services.
Thompson and Atherton said grant funding — including support from the Rockville Foundation — paid for all‑weather gear and learning tools and allowed field trips to Long Lane Farm. They shared parent survey feedback and invited board members and community members to visit weekly hikes.
Board members asked about scaling the model to other elementary schools; presenters said they are gathering data and would supply more formal proposals and timelines to the district for consideration.
No board action was taken; presenters said they will continue data collection and work toward a district program proposal.
