School Crashers

Burnette Elementary in Suwanee houses a diverse student body of 629 individuals, over 130 of which are special education students with varying learning disabilities. Several general education students also have social and emotional needs. To cater to these needs, a sensory room has been designed that promotes improved visual, auditory, and tactile processing.  The sensory room has two sides: one for relaxation and the other for activity. The space is equipped with sensory-based equipment, tactile walls, soft optic tunnels, bubble tubes, balance beams, and swings to develop gross motor skills. Spending time in the sensory room can aid in self-regulating behavior, which ultimately enhances focus. The School Crashers and Mohawk Flooring grants have transformed this area into a unique hybrid space, enabling students to experience various sensory activities that will benefit their physical and mental well-being.

Salem Middle School in Stonecrest is a Title I institution that caters to over 1,000 students each year. This year, Salem Middle was nominated for two areas for improvement - one for students and one for faculty. Firstly, the school prioritized revamping the counseling center, which witnessed a rise in students seeking guidance following the switch from virtual learning to classroom instruction after the pandemic. To address this issue, the School Crashers and Mohawk Flooring grants combined forces to transform the counseling area into an attractive and comfortable space that motivates students to excel. Secondly, Salem Middle instituted a faculty recharge room as a collaborative space for teachers and staff to interact with one another, exchange ideas, and destress following a hectic class period.

High Shoals Elementary School in Bishop is home to 525 students dealing with a range of challenges that affect their anxiety levels, emotional regulation and sensory processing abilities. However, the school is taking proactive steps to address these issues. Thanks to their School Crashers grant, High Shoals Elementary was able to establish a top-of-the-line sensory room that offers an effective solution to these problems. Their new sensory room is equipped with specialized tools that help alleviate problematic behaviors associated with ADHD, autism, anxiety and trauma responses. Teachers now have the power to provide students with the tools they need to minimize their anxieties, concentrate better and boost their sensory integration allowing students to quickly regulate their emotions and seamlessly rejoin their regular school activities.

Cass Middle School opened in 1993 and is the oldest and largest middle school in Bartow County, with a student body of 900. Thanks to the generous School Crashers and Mohawk Flooring grants, the hardworking staff members have access to a refreshed space where they can recharge and reenergize. The newly established faculty recharge room serves as a welcoming and comfortable environment for teachers to take quick respites, boosting their morale and ultimately positively impacting student morale.