Charlottesville, VA: Local schools add "sensory pathways" "to help students stay focused"

Jan 18, 2019, NBC29, Charlottesville, VA: Jackson-Via Elementary Schools Special Tool to Help Students Focus http://www.nbc29.com/story/39817706/jackson-via-elementary-schools-special-tool-to-help-students-focus For many kids, sitting quiet and still through an entire school day can seem like an impossible task. Now Charlottesville City Schools have a first of its kind tool to help students stay focused in the classroom. The new sensory pathway is the first of its class at Jackson-Via Elementary School and teachers there are hoping some small steps could yield some big results. Tucked away under the stair case in Jackson-Via Elementary School, kindergarten teacher Maegan Thim thought of a tool to help her students. "It’s this big puzzle, that's out on the floor, it has really bright colors, and it’s for students who need a break from the classroom they can go and do this. It almost reminds me of a fancy hopscotch,” said Thim…. Going through the sensory pathway can help students feel calmer, more at ease, and get re-focused. Teachers at Jackson-Via hope to see more projects like the sensory board, in the future. …