Students feeling overwhelming emotions during the school day now have a quiet place to reset.
Thanks to a grant, Social-Emotional Counselor Shari Rosenberg has created a calming room designed to help students manage moments of distress and regain composure before returning to their day.
Rather than a casual break space, the room is intended for students experiencing a moment of crisis and who need temporary separation from the normal classroom environment.
“When they feel emotionally unable to cope with what is their typical normal environment at that moment, that’s when they come,” said Rosenberg.
Students cannot simply walk into the space on their own. Instead, access comes through referrals by administration, counseling staff, or the Student Support Center.
The calming room is located next to Rosenberg’s office in the old Admin building. Inside, the room has been designed to feel noticeably different from the school environment. Blue walls, a beanbag chair, a comfortable armchair, and a fluffy rug create a relaxed atmosphere, while puzzles and fidget items give students hands-on ways to relax and refocus. Coming soon are glow lights, fairy lights, and a projector to enhance the calming environment.
So far, Rosenberg says students who have used the room report that the space feels soothing and helpful.
