Avalon Elementary School Blog

As we moved into the new school year, we continued with the lunch switch-ups with our “Zen den.” Students pick a Popsicle stick and find new people to sit with at lunch. As they sit down, they answer different questions to learn about each other and themselves. Some questions are silly, but still introspective. As we move into the second year of this program, we are watching students develop new friendships and help others who may need help. We have students who are now more understanding of others' differences. Students are also developing listening skills each time the switch is made. It is not every day, just a couple of times a month that the students partake in this continuing program. And when things do come up, such as unkindness towards others, our students have several people they can speak with to work out their problems. Our "Zen Den" has the fidgets they need, the shoulder to cry on, question cards to work through an issue, plus so many other things to give our students the opportunity to become the best people they can be in life.

This year, this space has been well used, as there was the death of the school counselor and then the news of a student with cancer. This space is comforting with the cozy chairs, the sparkly dolphin, and the crash pad. Everyone on staff at some point in the last six months has sought some solace in this room to help with the overwhelming emotions that have arisen over the year. It is not all sadness or tears. There is laughter and a hug. And stickers—everyone loves stickers, including the adults in the building. We have texture stickers, breathing stickers, and just good old smiley face stickers. It is a group effort by many to help our students navigate the bumpy waves of middle school that arise each day in middle school.