![From Page to Practice: Read & Shine Brings Wishtree to Life]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762956468/oldtrailorg/xbgqjedvsomzz8aorcnr/wishing-treee578798546_1514157970137920_3922050192069707434_n.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762956468/oldtrailorg/xbgqjedvsomzz8aorcnr/wishing-treee578798546_1514157970137920_3922050192069707434_n.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1762956468/oldtrailorg/xbgqjedvsomzz8aorcnr/wishing-treee578798546_1514157970137920_3922050192069707434_n.jpg","width":800}])
Every morning, a group of enthusiastic third and fourth graders gathers for one of Old Trail School’s most heartwarming new traditions—Read & Shine. What began as a simple morning literature circle has quickly grown into a highlight of the school day, sparking thoughtful discussions, meaningful connections and a shared love of reading.
Recently, the group finished reading Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, a story that celebrates kindness, courage and the power of community. Inspired by the book’s narrator—Red, a wise oak tree who collects wishes from neighbors—the students decided to bring that tradition to life on the OTS campus.
Carrying wishes they had written themselves, the young readers walked together to the campus trail, where they selected a tree and tied their hopes and dreams to its branches. The simple act of sharing wishes transformed a story into an experience—one rooted in reflection, empathy and joy.
Through Read & Shine, Old Trail’s students continue to discover that books are more than words on a page—they are invitations to imagine, to grow and to shine.
![Old Trail School middle school students and teachers pose outside a traditional Japanese inn, joined by a host in kimono, during their educational trip to Japan.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1775047309/oldtrailorg/monwjx4rsrrrivnvfn3h/Japan-2026.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1775047309/oldtrailorg/monwjx4rsrrrivnvfn3h/Japan-2026.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1775047309/oldtrailorg/monwjx4rsrrrivnvfn3h/Japan-2026.jpg","width":800}])
![Four students in green school shirts collaborate at a table with papers and a quiz buzzer in a classroom.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772571622/oldtrailorg/xhu3kxfbj7ylxafvr799/academic-challenge-team_n.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772571622/oldtrailorg/xhu3kxfbj7ylxafvr799/academic-challenge-team_n.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772571622/oldtrailorg/xhu3kxfbj7ylxafvr799/academic-challenge-team_n.jpg","width":800}])
![Old Trail School eighth grader Mason stands on the basketball court in Valencia, Spain, holding his Minicopa Endesa MVP trophy and award plaque while wearing his white Real Madrid jersey inside a large arena.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772053796/oldtrailorg/bqae90r5t1ov8cuxixpq/Mason.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772053796/oldtrailorg/bqae90r5t1ov8cuxixpq/Mason.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772053796/oldtrailorg/bqae90r5t1ov8cuxixpq/Mason.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772053796/oldtrailorg/bqae90r5t1ov8cuxixpq/Mason.jpg","width":900}])
![Back-to-Back Champs: Boys Basketball Claims ISL Title]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770904523/oldtrailorg/yir6mqk1uteviyvlhurq/BoysISL2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770904523/oldtrailorg/yir6mqk1uteviyvlhurq/BoysISL2026.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770904523/oldtrailorg/yir6mqk1uteviyvlhurq/BoysISL2026.png","width":800}])
![A paw print of coyote in snow discovered by our Outdoor Education students.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1767885482/oldtrailorg/nkaje5wvxlmtwtcwxr5d/Tracks.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1767885482/oldtrailorg/nkaje5wvxlmtwtcwxr5d/Tracks.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1767885482/oldtrailorg/nkaje5wvxlmtwtcwxr5d/Tracks.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1767885482/oldtrailorg/nkaje5wvxlmtwtcwxr5d/Tracks.jpg","width":1000}])
![Two young riders sit on their horses inside an indoor riding arena while two adults stand beside them, smiling.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764879068/oldtrailorg/qh5xl3i9zg7xkivoyqd8/equestrian-20251203_1740110-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764879068/oldtrailorg/qh5xl3i9zg7xkivoyqd8/equestrian-20251203_1740110-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764879068/oldtrailorg/qh5xl3i9zg7xkivoyqd8/equestrian-20251203_1740110-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764879068/oldtrailorg/qh5xl3i9zg7xkivoyqd8/equestrian-20251203_1740110-1.jpg","width":850}])
![Two Old Trail School third graders smile while holding a bag of donated food during the school’s Thanksgiving food drive.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764875182/oldtrailorg/pzrcdiwml2vwxbbrcq4n/grade-3-IMG_0848.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764875182/oldtrailorg/pzrcdiwml2vwxbbrcq4n/grade-3-IMG_0848.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764875182/oldtrailorg/pzrcdiwml2vwxbbrcq4n/grade-3-IMG_0848.jpg","width":800}])
![A group of Old Trail School Middle School students and their teacher stand in front of a yellow school bus holding large bags filled with donated socks.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763403067/oldtrailorg/kpzyxor5memn1vktvnvp/socks-770DF0A9-.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763403067/oldtrailorg/kpzyxor5memn1vktvnvp/socks-770DF0A9-.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763403067/oldtrailorg/kpzyxor5memn1vktvnvp/socks-770DF0A9-.jpg","width":800}])
![Two Middle School students perform on stage during Old Trail School’s Fall Musical Showcase.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763390207/oldtrailorg/b6e6e0dflezk5rqavmys/performing-artrs-8T8A3971.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763390207/oldtrailorg/b6e6e0dflezk5rqavmys/performing-artrs-8T8A3971.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763390207/oldtrailorg/b6e6e0dflezk5rqavmys/performing-artrs-8T8A3971.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763390207/oldtrailorg/b6e6e0dflezk5rqavmys/performing-artrs-8T8A3971.jpg","width":900}])
