EASTON, Pa. — A new sensory hallway will give students — and maybe even some teachers — an opportunity to expend some excess energy at Wilson Intermediate School.
Wilson Area School District officials, joined by the Wilson Area Partners in Education Foundation and local politicians, celebrated the launch of the hallway Thursday afternoon. The setup includes numerous decals that encourage children to focus their energy and attention on specific tasks — balancing on a log, hopping over a river, etc. — which can help those young students reorient their focus.
The Wilson Area Partners in Education were major backers for the project, alongside Magellan and Fast Signs.
Officials in the district noted the necessity for sensory hallways as a simple, engaging tool that can help prevent disruptive behaviors.
“We're really excited to see this come to life, I know it's been a couple of years and months in the making,” Easton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Caitlin Hamlin said, adding the elementary schools in the districts also have their own sensory hallways.
“The guidance counselors in all of our schools unanimously noted that sensory hallways were an important part of the teachers’ educational process that wasn't being fulfilled — it was outside the budget."Board President of the Wilson Area Partners in Education Foundation Scott Barr
Board president of the Wilson Area Partners in Education Foundation Scott Barr said his organization was proud to be part of the effort which led to the installation of the program.
“The guidance counselors in all of our schools unanimously noted that sensory hallways were an important part of the teachers’ educational process that wasn't being fulfilled — it was outside the budget. And that's where the Wilson Area Partners in Education Foundation steps in. It really helps to it helps the teachers do a better job teaching,” Barr said.
One school counselor noted the hallway is perfect for students to visit between classes, or after a bathroom break, to squeeze in a quick revitalization session through breathing practices, yoga and other calm and focused activities.
Local elected officials and representatives from their offices, including Rep. Bob Freeman, were on hand to celebrate the opening and present certificates of recognition for the project.
“It's an amazing scenario for a lot of kids. I understand the main focus is to get them calm and focused, to bring them through their day, and also to teach them skills as far as balance and tactile skills and things of that nature. But the calming element is something I was wondering, could we replicate this in the state Capitol?” Freeman said, eliciting laughs from the small crowd.
Wilson Area Intermediate School Principal Michael Chromey called the hallway “a labor of love,” replete with positive imagery and school spirit.
“We really wanted to make sure that this sensory hallway was specific to our building for our kids and really captured the traditions that we have here in the district. So it's been a welcome addition. We have students using it sometimes daily and taking part in all of the different activities,” Chromey said.
Just before the official ribbon cutting, Barr thanked those in attendance for helping make the project a reality, while also advocating for assistance in launching new, similar initiatives in the district.
“We do have a long list of projects, and this is one that just exemplifies the work that we do. So after we're all done here, take a walk — but you will not be able to just walk through, you're going to be doing the toe toe-to-heel thing and feeling walls and stuff. It's really a great place even to refocus,” Barr said.
