I work in an urban high school with a high number of at-risk youth. My students bring a multitude of stressors with them to school every day. Many come from homes and/or neighborhoods riddled with violence, poverty, neglect, abuse, and/or addiction.
On many days, my students are not emotionally ready to navigate the high school hallways, let alone engage in academic instruction.
Providing students with a calm, soothing place to go when feeling overwhelmed or unable to focus will give them the opportunity to work through whatever is getting in the way at the moment. It will also give them peace of mind knowing that there is a refuge they can seek out if they need it.
My Project
High school can be stressful! Learning healthy, adaptive ways to regulate stress and strong emotions is a crucial component of social and emotional learning. The function of a De-Stress Zone is to provide students with access to a stress-free area at school where they can calm down, refocus, and return to class. The De-Stress Zone will be located in a designated area of our high school and will be available to students throughout the school day. In the De-Stress Zone, students will be able to relax in a large bean bag chair, express their emotions through Magnetic Poetry or drawing, work on a design at the puzzle table, and/or release pent-up energy using an exercise ball or Kinetic Sand.
Through the De-Stress Zone, students will learn healthy and safe ways to calm themselves.
Students will also realize that we want them to be here in school, even when having a rough day! Too often, students shut down or act out when feeling upset, agitated, or anxious. If not addressed, these students end up wandering the halls, leaving school, or becoming disruptive. Either way, they are not actively participating in school and are not learning. The goal of the De-Stress Zone is to provide students with some tools to help them work through their feelings and return to class ready to learn.
Bits and Pieces - Wooden Fold-And-Go Jigsaw Table-Collapsible Jigsaw Puzzle Table and Storage System - Puzzle Accessories Hobby Surface for Put Together Your Jigsaw Puzzles with Comfort and Ease
• Amazon Business
$189.98
1
$189.98
Big Joe 0010656 Fuf Foam Filled Bean Bag Chair, Large, Cocoa Lenox
• Amazon Business
$122.00
1
$122.00
Sunnydaze 6-Tier Stone Falls Tabletop Water Fountain with LED Light, 15 Inch
• Amazon Business
$57.95
1
$57.95
Big Joe Milano Bean Bag Chair, Stretch Limo Black
• Amazon Business
$50.38
1
$50.38
BOSU 45 cm Ballast Stability Ball
• DICK'S Sporting Goods
$39.99
1
$39.99
Magnetic Poetry - Original Kit - All the Essential Words For Your Refrigerator - Write Poems and Letters on the Fridge - Made in the USA
• Amazon Business
$19.95
1
$19.95
EduKid Toys MAGNETIC EASEL & WHITEBOARD
• Amazon Business
$18.99
1
$18.99
BrookStone Sand Box 9.5" x 9.5
• Amazon Business
$12.00
1
$12.00
Kinetic Sand Beach Sand
• Amazon Business
$11.70
1
$11.70
KeNeer 7Pack Stretchy String Fidget Sensory Toys - Relieve Stress, and Increase Patience - Build Resistance Squeeze, Pull - Good for kids with ADD, ADHD or Autism, and Adults to Strengthen Arms
• Amazon Business
$9.99
1
$9.99
Magnetic Poetry Little Box of Happiness Kit - Words for Refrigerator - Write Poems and Letters on the Fridge - Made in the USA
• Amazon Business
$8.95
1
$8.95
Materials cost
$541.88
Vendor shipping charges
$4.00
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$8.13
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$584.01
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$103.06
Total project goal
$687.07
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$687.07
7 Donors
-$581.22
Donations toward project cost
-$507.51
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$73.71
match offer
-$90.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$76.50
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. B. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.