Past projects 2
School Comfort Space
Funded Aug 28, 2023I can not thank you enough for the donations towards our new space in the Guidance Office. We have named the space the "Zen Den" (borrowed from another teacher) and it has become an integral place in our school. Each day, we have students who use the Zen Den for a variety of reasons. Some students need a quiet space to make up a test or work on a project away from the hustle and bustle of the classroom. Some students receive therapeutic intervention with one of our adjustment counselors in there. More often than not, the Zen Den has been a calming place for students who are escalated or dysregulated. The space, along with the tools and activities, have been a key component to our students and their ability to self-regulate. We have several students on "plans" to come to the Zen Den when they feel escalated so they are not acting out in the classrooms or hallways. The success that they feel when they are able to self-regulate is indescribable.
The Zen Den is growing too. Given the success of this space, we have now identified two more spaces throughout the building that are going to be modeled after this project. We are committed to giving students the space, and the permission, to learn to elf regulate when needed. I can't thank you enough for your support.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Davenport
This classroom project was brought to life by The SONIC Foundation and 12 other donors.Helping Students Manage Their Anxiety
Funded Aug 31, 2018I want to send deep thanks for the generous donation towards my grant. I am late in sending in my reply as I had to retrieve many of the items purchased from teachers who have borrowed them for their classrooms. I had no idea that the items would have such wide impact with my general education teachers. What started out as a bookshelf in our calming space, grew to teachers coming in to borrow items for certain students and larger discussions regarding anxiety and how to recognize it and address it with our students. Helping students and teachers feel that their toolboxes are full was the main goal of my grant and it was fulfilled ten fold. The putty and coloring books have been the greatest hit, while the stress cards have been strong conversation starters.
Many of my students with anxiety did not wish to have their picture taken, which is understandable given their delicate middle school world. I had them write thank you notes instead, which I feel gave them an understanding of the lengths that we will go to help them. When I asked them to write their notes, I heard a lively discussion about what tool they liked the best and what they felt helped the most. For children to have that level of insight and that control over their toolbox is powerful and skills that they will have life long.
We, as a counseling staff here at Easton Middle School, cannot thank you enough.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Davenport