Woodlake Wildcats Outdoor Calming Space

Funded Feb 8, 2023

Thank you for helping Woodlake Elementary students have an outdoor calming space. Students are able to use this area when they need some time and space to regulate themselves. Having the area in the outdoor garden area creates a naturally calming atmosphere where students can use the calming items to further help them regulate their emotions.

The students who have had a chance to use the calming space have really benefitted. Some of the most used items so far were the bean bags, the "scooters" and the squishy fidgets.

At the beginning of the next school year, we plan to have all the classrooms visit the outdoor calming space and learn how and when they can use it. We want to create an environment at Woodlake where we teach students that it is normal to struggle with "big" feelings and that there are helpful ways to manage these feelings so that their feelings do not mindlessly "take over". The calming space has sensory items and gross motor activities that can help students regulate their emotions and be ready to return to class.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Marco