South Nashville students will soon take a Storybook Trail to reading

Napier Elementary students and district leaders taking part in the groundbreaking (Photo by Metro Nashville Public Schools)

Napier Elementary School students helped Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) leaders break ground on a new outdoor learning space Thursday that features an outdoor classroom and a Storybook Trail for students and families to read together.

The Storybook Trail is the first at an elementary school in Tennessee and will feature a fairytale theme, with The Little Red Hen and The Three Little Pigs displayed on child-height panels along the outdoor space according to a news release. MNPS says designers created each panel to encourage interaction along with reading tips to bring the story to life by blending reading with nature while promoting the idea that literacy for early learners can be found everywhere.

Dr. Adrienne Battle speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony (Photo by Metro Nashville Public Schools)

“We are committed to personalizing learning experiences and creating opportunities for our students to learn in new ways, and the outdoor learning space and Storybook Trail at Napier are going to make a big impression on students for years to come,” said MNPS Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle. “We want to thank the PNC Foundation for its continuing support of our students, as well as all those working to bring this project to life.”

The PNC Foundation is providing $75,000 in funding for the outdoor learning space that’s scheduled to open next year. The foundation says this funding is part of a grant initiative announced earlier this year to support high-quality outdoor play and learning environments to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its signature philanthropic initiative PNC Grow Up Great®.

“We see this funding as a way to help our community’s future leaders develop the skills they need, thus setting the foundation for our region’s long-term economic health and vitality,” said PNC regional president for Tennessee Mike D. Johnson. “We look forward to collaborating with MNPS and the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation to help encourage outdoor learning among our youngest learners.”

MNPS says the Storybook Trail and outdoor learning space supports the district’s Pre-K program’s focus on a high-quality, play-based learning experience for children.

The project is also organized by the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation that collaborates with communities to bring the benefits of literacy and physical activity to outdoor spaces across the state according to the news release.

“Our mission is to strengthen early literacy in Tennessee by equipping children with books and innovative literacy tools that foster lifelong learning,” said Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation president and CEO James Pond. “The Storybook Trail program creates an enriching learning experience by combining literacy with physical activity, allowing children to connect with books while exploring the outdoors. We are deeply grateful to the PNC Foundation and MNPS for their partnership in bringing this trail to Napier Elementary. Together, we’re expanding opportunities for children across the state to get outside, get active and get reading.”