On ‘Radio Times:’ Camden school creates ‘calm room’ to curb suspensions of elementary school students

In an effort to reduce out-of-school suspensions because of a student’s behavior, one elementary school has created a way to keep students from getting sent home.

Yorkship Family School in Camden, New Jersey—a kindergarten through eighth-grade school—has a ‘calm room.’ In its first year, the room is a safe place for students who feel anxious or agitated to engage in activities that will calm them down. Activities include yoga, meditation, talking with students and for students to do self-calming strategies.  

Earlier this morning, Marty Moss-Coane talked with Linda Brown-Bartlett, health and physical education teacher and antibullying specialist about the impact of this method on students.

“If we can get our students at a young age to learn how to regulate themselves, identify their triggers, we’re trying to help them communicate their problem and define it and come up with solutions of their own of how they can handle anger and frustration both in school and in their daily life,” Brown-Bartlett said. “We’re giving them supports that will make their academic achievement come along.”

Listen to the full conversation on Radio Times.