Boardman Center Intermediate and Meridian Health partner for new sensory room
BOARDMAN, Ohio - Boardman Center Intermediate School is in the midst of a new project, creating a sensory room that will help to meet the physical and social/emotional needs of students.
, and also expand the project's reach to not only include special needs students, but to create a safe space for all students who may struggle with behavioral or mental health issues
Traditionally, sensory rooms are a therapeutic place with a variety of equipment that provides students with special needs with personalized sensory input.
The goal is to help these children calm and focus themselves and gain balance and motor skills. It promotes self-organization and positive change. It provides a safe space for students.
"We are so honored to be working with Larry Moliterno and the staff at Meridian, they truly understand the importance of the sensory room and the various needs of our students - especially during these times of COVID-19," said BCIS counselor Kendra Baltes.
Center Principal Randy Ebie and Ms. Baltes approached Meridian Healthcare CEO Larry Moliterno to partner on the project.
"Offering a safe place where students can go to process their emotions and feelings is very important, especially in today's day and age, " said Larry Militerno. "We are proud we can partner with Boardman Schools on this project and offer this to the students in our community."
The Boardman Center Intermediate Sensory Room is the first project funded by Meridian's new Power of Care Foundation, which will provide nonprofit organizations financial support to offer supportive services to assist individuals with their mental, physical, and emotional needs in a way that is person-centered and respects the dignity of each individual.
"Much of the physical work is being done by our maintenance staff and by volunteers. We emptied a huge storage room, cleared out shelves, built walls, and painted to prepare for all the equipment," said Principal Ebie. "The goal is to have everything in place by January 25-- for the start of the second semester."
January 4 through 15 equipment will be arriving, and construction of the new sensory room will be in full swing.
