CHILL ROOM PROJECT
est Jefferson Hills
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
The Chill Room : A Space for Relaxation and Personal Growth
By Sarah Petrovich
The prioritization of mental health continues to grow in our society . One innovation gives schools the ability to create a safe space , as well as an opportunity to make well-being an equal area of focus to academic studies .
The Chill Room Project , founded by Dr . William C . Davies , program supervisor with Allegheny Health Network ( AHN ), captures the importance of well-being and health . His incredible vision was fortunately implemented into grade schools , with West Jefferson Hills having the privilege to be on the list . This inspiring and welcoming atmosphere is something that we can proudly say is at students ’ and staff ’ s fingertips . Aside from the astonishing visual appeal each room portrays , the strategies that the on-site professionals utilize have successfully resulted in a space for mental awareness .
The Chill Project started as a small movement in August 2019 that rapidly spread across school districts , with the pilot middle school being WJHSD ’ s Pleasant Hills Middle School . The project has reached 19 school buildings in Allegheny County , including three WJHSD schools . Other schools are on a waiting list for this inspiring program to be a part of their students ' and staffs ’ lives , due to the overwhelmingly positive response .
Pleasant Hills Middle School launched the Chill Room Project in August 2019 , led by Shelly Meier , a behavioral health school educator . She works for AHN and is the PHMS Chill Room advisor . Meier feels that , “ Middle school is such a crucial age where kids are just really starting to figure out who they are , and that can be a very scary thing for some of them .”
In the Chill Room , the students and staff can experience fundamental lessons , professional development workshops and lunch sit-ins . The fundamental lessons are a monthly ritual , where anyone can be provided with basic skills , problem solving tips , distress tolerance and anything else that aids in one ' s mental health needs .
When crafting her ideas for these lessons , Meier values , “ taking control of yourself , which is the only thing we have control over . What can you do for yourself in that moment to help yourself calm
down ?” Additionally , professional development aids teachers by allowing them to reflect on their own well-being in the workplace . Meier appreciates when the teachers visit , and she would , “ love to do more for the teachers .”
Another useful tool for visitors is the stress thermometer , which documents how someone feels when they enter the room , and how that feeling changed once they sought a state of calmness and de-stressed in the Chill Room . Students have provided positive feedback about their experiences in the room . One seventh grader noted that she liked the Chill Room because it ’ s “ a way to have fun , while calming down , and there is not the pressure of being in a big and loud room .”
The middle school ’ s Chill Room has been a tremendous success . Aside from attendance-based progress , recognition outside of the district has become an accomplishment of the middle school . In November 2019 , Pittsburgh Steelers ’ wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster , partnering with Headspace , awarded a check to PHMS for donations that went towards the cost of creating chill centers . There ’ s no question that this addition to the middle school has benefitted many individuals .
Looking ahead , Meier plans on forming an interest group with her colleague , Lakin Weakland McSorely , a behavioral health therapist . Their intention is to spread even more positivity in the school setting . “ You have to keep doing new things . If you don ' t , the program gets stagnant ,” Meier said . Her ultimate goal is to “ continue to see the program grow . This is an opportunity to work at a program where it ’ s school-based services done right .”
When asked to give advice in regards to mental health , Meier believes that , “ One bad day does not a bad person make ... And if you ' re not feeling great , reach out to the people that can help , because that ' s what we ' re here for .”
The district strives for excellence amongst all students . Accordingly , the Chill Project was launched at Thomas Jefferson High School and Jefferson Hills Intermediate School ( grades 3-5 ).
Klein Kimball , head of the Chill Project at the high school , also is an AHN professional , specializing in behavioral health school education . Similar to the middle school , Kimball envisioned a space where students could feel calm and relaxed , while synchronously learning to thrive mentally . Kimball recognizes that , “ The real world can be really scary , learning these skills as a young adult can really help kids as they move forward .”
The TJHS Chill Room involves very similar opportunities for students who need a mental health check in . Between mindfulness lessons , Personal Learning Time ( PLT ) visits and lunch sit-ins , students and staff have the opportunity to let go of
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