MARSHAL AND IS A 17 YEAR VETERAN OF THE DEPARTMENT, A PROGRAM THAT STARTED AT OTTUMWA HIGH SCHOOL IS NOW EXPANDING TO HELP YOUNGER STUDENTS. THE BRAIN HEALTH ROOM GIVES STUDENTS A PLACE TO RESET. STUDENTS CAN TAKE 15 MINUTES TO REGULATE THEIR EMOTIONS BEFORE RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM. THIS FALL, IT EXPANDED THE PROGRAM TO THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, SCHOOLS BRAIN HEALTH LIAISON JESSICA DOUGHTY SAYS MANY STUDENTS NAVIGATING LIFE DURING A TRANSITIONING AGE. IT’S ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE. WE HAVE SEEN SO MUCH IMPROVEMENT IN A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS GRADES AND ATTENDANCE IN HOW THEY’RE TARDY TO CLASSES. JUST A LOT OF THOSE LITTLE THINGS AND BEHAVIORS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SPACE NOW THAT THEY CAN COME WHERE IT IS SAFE FOR THEM TO BE, AS STUDENTS CAN USE THAT 15 MINUTES JUST TO SIT IN A QUIET PLACE. THEY CAN PLAY WITH
Ottumwa schools expand brain health program to junior high
A program that started at Ottumwa High School, known as the Brain Health Room, is now expanding to the junior high school to help younger students manage their emotions.Jessica Dawdy, the school’s brain health liaison, said, “We’ve seen so much improvement in a lot of our grades and attendance and how their tardy to classes, just a lot of those little things, behaviors because they have a space now they can come where it is safe for them to be.”Students can take 15 minutes to sit in a quiet place, play with fidget toys, or talk to Dawdy about any problems before returning to the classroom.
A program that started at Ottumwa High School, known as the Brain Health Room, is now expanding to the junior high school to help younger students manage their emotions.
Jessica Dawdy, the school’s brain health liaison, said, “We’ve seen so much improvement in a lot of our grades and attendance and how their tardy to classes, just a lot of those little things, behaviors because they have a space now they can come where it is safe for them to be.”
Students can take 15 minutes to sit in a quiet place, play with fidget toys, or talk to Dawdy about any problems before returning to the classroom.