Students at Beaver Run Elementary keeping it ‘Calm n’ Cool’ in new room

SALISBURY, Md. – Beaver Run Elementary just added a brand-new space to the school. It’s called the Calm n’ Cool room and it’s meant to help students regulate their emotions– through sensory toys, or through reading books about navigating thoughts and feelings.

“Our children are navigating all of these big emotions, and they are navigating life, and they need a space to regulate, not in front of all of their peers,” said school social worker, Amanda Chaffee.

Students spend up to seven hours a day in school. In that time, they can feel a rage of different emotions.

To promote mental health awareness, staff came up with the Calm n’ Cool room, and the resource was made possible through an academic donation.

“It’s been really nice to see the vision come true,” said school principal, Curt Twilley. “It’s all thanks to the Community Foundation and their generous support.”

From comfortable seating to ambient lighting, Chaffee said she wanted the space to be welcoming to student and serve as a getaway from some of the stressors they may experience in the classroom.

“These are some of our youngest learners in the county, and we notice that a lot of them have big feelings,” Chaffee said. “If they’re given the opportunity to come to a separate space and de-escalate and regroup, they’re able to transition back into the classroom at a swifter pace.”

Although the room has fun colors and fluffy stuffed animals geared towards kids,
Principal Twilley said adults also need some alone time here and there, too.

“All staff has to do is make a call to the office and one of us will go to their room and take over the class for a few minutes,” Principal Twilley said. “[It] allows them the opportunity to just come and find their center again, and when they feel ready, they can come back to the classroom and join their students.”