Press release from Henderson County Public Schools:
Upward Elementary School has received a $5,000 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant for the creation of a library of sensory tools for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, a Sensory Path for the entire school, and additional sensory tools for the two school-based Exceptional Children classrooms. Media is invited to the Sensory Path ribbon cutting Friday, August 23 at 9 a.m.
Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grants are awarded to teachers to provide access to tools needed for their diverse population of students.
The tools in the Sensory Library are research- and evidence-based tools that can address needs that students may have due to trauma, poverty, ADHD, autism, developmental delays, and numerous other issues where sensory strategies are recommended.In cooperation with professional input from occupational, physical, and speech therapists, behavioral specialists, and school counselors, Upward’s teachers can choose tools from the Sensory Library to address student stress, anxiety, energy output, sleep deprivation, as well as trauma-induced or other types of behaviors that can negatively impact or disrupt a classroom.
The tools in the Sensory Library include ‘wiggle’ cushions, ‘chewies,’ fidget tools, weighted lap pads, lights, therapy putty, and more. Students in two Exceptional Children classrooms will benefit from additional tools such as a sand and water table with kinetic sand, lights specifically for children with autism, jelly mats for children with sensory needs and more.
Through the grant, Lowe’s has also purchased and installed a Sensory Pathway designed by occupational and physical therapists for students who need to leave the classroom setting to take a sensory break in a supervised area.
“Our school and community will greatly benefit from this grant. We wish to thank our friends at Lowe’s for generously supporting this important project,” said Jason Joyce, Upward Elementary School principal.
A ribbon-cutting and thank you ceremony for the local Lowe’s of Hendersonville store will take place Aug. 23 at 9 a.m., during which time Upward students will demonstrate how to use the Sensory Path.
According to Lowe’s, all K-12 public schools in the United States are eligible for the Toolbox for Education program. More information is available at www.ToolboxforEducation.com.
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