CATAWISSA, Pa. — Classes started last week in the Southern Columbia Area School District near Catawissa. This year, there is a new addition at GC Hartman Elementary School...a sensory room. When children are behind a desk all day, it can be challenging for some to concentrate. A sensory room is a space with sensory tools to help children regulate themselves.
"Everything from a trampoline to a sensory swing to a calm down space as well. It really utilizes tools to help the children regulate," Volunteer Jenn Rarig said.
Jenn Rarig says her son Jackson was a big inspiration for this project.
"The neurodiversity aspect of how his brain is wired, he definitely needs that sensory input. And so when he started kindergarten, he needed that space to be regulated," Rarig said.
Rarig and other parents approached district officials about the sensory room last spring.
"We felt that this space would be a great opportunity to provide our kiddos with a sensory break during the day when they need it so that they can transition back to the classroom and do all those things we want them to do in the classroom academically," G.C. Hartman Elementary School Principal Brandon Traugh said.
Any student who needs a sensory break throughout the day is welcome to use the space. A teacher or aide brings them to the sensory room.
"Some kids have a prescription, five times a day, they'll come in for ten minutes, and they'll do their sensory diet and have their sensory break and then go back to class," Rarig said.
Community members funded the project.