Woodstock, VA: 'Chillville' sensory room provides means for students to "calm down"

Nov 5, 2021, Northern Virginia Daily: Sensory room gives overwhelmed students a chance to 'chill' https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/sensory-room-gives-overwhelmed-students-a-chance-to-chill/article_13b6cea6-de29-5e15-9904-4efed10f31e0.html

WOODSTOCK — A new and improved sensory room at W.W. Robinson Elementary School is offering students a chance to take a breather during the school day. “It’s for anyone in the whole school,” said Emily Poff, a paraprofessional who works as a supervisor of the sensory room. It’s “a break from class,” she said…. Previously, Shrum said, the school had arranged a break room for children who needed some time to calm down for a few minutes if frustrated, angry or tired. The idea for the updated space was coordinated by Assistant Principal Diane McLean, who has a background in working with children who have special needs and was previously principal at Harrisonburg Minnick School, a private day school for children with social, emotional and behavioral challenges…. The initial funding for the room came from $5,000 in title funds. Then this year, McLean said, the school obtained another $5,000 in title funds to bring what had been a three-year plan to fruition. Now, in addition to a swing and other interventions that were useful but under-utilized, the room includes wobble seats, fidget toys and stretchy bands that kids can kick. Students can also sign out some of the equipment to take back to class with them, Shrum said. When children come to the room, Poff said, “You can tell that they’re frustrated or they’re upset.”… McLean explained that because children express their concerns in various ways, it can be frustrating for them if they’re not getting the support they need to work through their struggles. The sensory room helps them do that with minimal conflict. Some kids come in on an as-needed basis and others have daily appointments at times when they tend to need a break or require one through their Individualized Education Program. Others come in more than once a day, Poff said. But all the kids seem to know and respect the purpose of the sensory room without abusing its privileges. The room is used pretty frequently throughout the day, but few children have to come back the same day, she said. The room can hold up to five children at a time…. “The room is called Chillville,” she said.