With the help of a recent grant, Hastings Middle School now has a soothing space for students who need a little breather.
"Instead of being sent to the office and being in there the rest of the day, they can go in there, get themselves together and go back to class," said Leah Lucas, Student Support Specialist for Hastings Middle School.
The two calming rooms, created from previously unused office spaces, are proving to be a valuable addition to the building. While other schools in the district might feature classrooms with calming areas, these rooms allow students to step completely away briefly to collect themselves.
Whether it’s students who are overstimulated and need a break or those who need to blow off a little steam before returning to class, the rooms are thoughtfully equipped. Features include furniture, sound machines, noise-canceling headphones, dim lighting, and fidget toys.
"(It is for) anything that is making it hard for them to focus in class," Lucas said. "Sometimes a kid might come in and they had a really crappy morning at home and they just need some space. A lot of kids will do that during seminar and take a minute. It might be some kids who are super wild and need to get some energy out. ...It's kind of multi-purpose."
The calming rooms were made possible through a $900 mini-grant, coordinated through Calhoun ISD and funded by the Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation. The funds allowed the school to furnish the spaces, creating a safe, tranquil environment for students to recharge.