District prioritizes students’ mental health

The rooms are meant to provide a lowstress and fun environment to help students work through their emotions and reactions to various situations.

The goal is to reduce stress and anxiety, increase creativity, and refocus students so they can attend to their academics. The rooms will also help students understand the importance of their mental health, provide them with resources and strategies to manage it.

District staff members were trained to competently utilize the calming rooms with students. The training was led by building administrators, pupil personnel services staff and behaviorists. The training included specific strategies for calming rooms, especially for students with behavior plans. The training equips staff with necessary skills and tools to assist students in reducing their stress and managing emotions.

their academics with a clearer mind.

The administration has taken steps to ensure families and caregivers are involved in the students utilization of the calming room. With the aim of making the calming room a seamless and accessible resource for students, the district worked to incorporate it into its offerings. If a student decides to use the calming room, the pupil personnel services staff or administrators will keep families informed.

HELEN KANELLOPOULOS assistant superintendent

According to Kanellopoulos, the calming spaces have been well-received by students and staff with many families reporting that they have helped students manage their emotions and return to

Many families are already aware of the calming room’s inclusion in their child’s behavior plan. Additionally, teachers communicate with families about the possibility of using the room as a reward for their students.

The district’s vision for the future of their calming room experience is to have it evolve and update the room to meet the changing needs of students. One of the goals is to create sensory spaces in the classrooms, so students can take a break without having to leave the room, providing a more natural experience. The district also plans to incorporate more flexible seating and furniture options in classrooms to allow for movement and choice.

The Freeport School District also prioritizes the professional development of its staff with training and workshops.

The Freeport School District also partners with SKY Schools, which provide stress management and emotional wellbeing training to students, teachers, and other education professionals. The aim is to reduce stress and increase resilience