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MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT: BUILDING FOUNDATIONS FOR LIFE!
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Belle Valley Sensory Room
Once a centrally located space was
found, items were purchased for the
project and the room began to take
shape. By the spring of 2019, the room
was complete. Training was provided
to Belle Valley’s three Autistic Support
teachers and they began using the new
Sensory Room with their students. “This
room benefits my students because the
highly absorbing environment provides
comfort and calmness when students are
feeling overwhelmed and stressed. The
room benefits others in a way to improve
their focus and promote success in the
classroom, ” says Emily Young, Autistic
Support teacher at Belle Valley.
The room is used on a daily basis to
help students so that they perform better
academically, emotionally, and socially at
school. By the fall of 2019, the use of the
room has expanded to all populations
of students who can benefit from this
sensory experience. According to
Celeste Ras, an Autistic Support teacher,
“The sensory room has become an integral
part of my daily schedule and has assisted
my students with language development,
fine motor/gross motor skills, coping
skills, and behavioral needs. The sensory
room provides a safe space for students to
develop and engage their senses. ” A third
Autistic Support teacher Danielle White,
commented, “The sensory room has had a
positive effect on my students. It helps my
students to stay on task longer and follow
directions. The variety of equipment/items
allows us to meet each and every child’s
sensory needs. By doing this it helps to
decrease negative behaviors.”
The fruition of this project was based on
the hard work, vision, and dedication of
the staff at Belle Valley Elementary and our
community. For years to come, students
will benefit from the experiences they will
receive in the Belle Valley Sensory Room.
Belle Valley students
Lincoln Otteni and
Julianna Merlino
demonstrate activities in
the Belle Valley Sensory
Room.
elle Valley’s Sensory Room project
addressed a targeted need within
its Autistic Support program
population. The Sensory Room space is
an accommodation that is available to
these students throughout the school
day. Sensory rooms are special spaces
within the school that allow students of
all abilities to self-regulate, rebalance,
and have their sensory needs met. In
developing the Sensory Room concept,
Belle Valley formed a committee of
special education teachers, regular
education teachers, an occupational
therapist, a special education supervisor,
a school psychologist, and the building’s
administrators. The group created a vision
of a Sensory Room space that was pro-
active and therapeutic. The committee
was also awarded a $2,500 grant from
the Autism Society of Northwestern
Pennsylvania to bring this project to
fruition.
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MILLCREEK