Refresh Room

Funded Oct 7, 2021

Thank you so much for your support in getting classroom furniture to create a safe, flexible seating, learning environment. The "Refresh Room" makeover was a success! Your generosity has inspired my students and they have taken ownership of their new learning environment. The students are utilizing the flexible seating for a multitude of academic, social/emotional and leisure activities. The table and stools have been utilized for student collaboration meetings, independent classwork and character development activities. The couch, coffee table, and rug have created sitting areas where groups or individuals have been able to participate in a safe space for social emotional and character development. Students sit on the sofa and they utilize seating pads to sit at the coffee table, allowing for flexible seating within a group.

When the students entered the classroom and saw the new seating areas for the first time, their faces lit up. Some students made comments that they feel like they are at a Starbucks studying or they are on a college campus. They loved the idea of learning in a different, yet comfortable setting. They also felt like they were able to focus on themselves more because the new seating areas made them feel safe. The students also brainstormed ways to add to the classroom. This promoted ownership of learning and developed a trusting learning space.

The next steps are to add more flexible seating stations throughout the room. The students have created a list of ideas to make more small group stations where students can feel safe, work on social emotional skills and character development. The students want to add a meditation station with yoga mats, salt lamps, aromatherapy and a white noise machine. Another idea is to add a bean bag lounge for independent study and reading. The students really took ownership of the new seating stations and want to add more.

Thank you so much! I hope you will continue to support projects like mine in the future!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Perez