Several Chillicothe Rotary Club members gathered at Chillicothe Elementary School this (Thursday) afternoon for an open house of the school's new sensory room, which was funded through a Rotary Club grant.
The event was the culmination of a months-long project, which started with a grant, written by Chillicothe Rotarian President Pam Jarding, in collaboration with Emily Schmidt, R-II Special Services Director. Together, they compiled a list of items useful to students who are affected by sensory disorders. Then Jarding, along with past president, Kelly Deering and future president, Angela Poling, secured the grant, which was designed to fund a space specifically designed to meet the needs of CES students affected by Autism and other sensory-related disabilities
Schmidt noted that the club not only purchased items, such as an indoor swing, bubble lamps, tap lights, and weighted blankets, but they also helped construct it. Specifically, she said, the Rotarians, alongside several Chillicothe High School students, completed the labor by painting the room and putting all the items together.
The grant also funded the purchase of several sensory-friendly items for teachers to borrow for their affected students in the classroom, and books for teachers to read aloud to increase student-understanding of classmates who have Autism or other sensory-related disorders.
"We are so very thankful for the work and effort the Rotarians put into creating this space for our students," Schmidt said.