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Classes, tests, grades, homework – high school can be stressful. But thanks to the Sensory Peace Room at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St Louis Charter High School (CHS), students are having a more serene experience. 

Walking into the dimly lit Sensory Peace Room, students find a quiet, aesthetically pleasing and multi-faceted place, where they can sit, lay, meditate, create, work, listen to music or pick up some CHS pets. Yes, pets such as Mellow the lizard, Einstein the turtle, two gerbils (Al and Roe) and three canary birds. 

“You can come in here and learn, or just be yourself – peacefully,” said sophomore Sydney McGhee. “There are different stations in the Room. Some are affirmations, some are reading and writing. The Room is important, because it is used for mental wellness. When you’re having a bad day, you can come in here, calm down, get yourself together and go back out with a different energy than you came in with.” 

CHS’s new sensory Peace Room is researched based, according to CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD. 

“Conflict resolution via Restorative Peace Circles is also handled in the Peace Room,” she added. “CHS team members have been trained on how to use Restorative Justice Practices. The Peace Room was designed by and leadership is provided by Marquita Holton, CHS nurse.” 

“I’m fortunate that the administrative team and I were able to attend the National Charter High School Conference in Washington, D.C. in 2022,” continued Jeffries. “I’m delighted that we were able to bring back some of these researched-based strategies for social and emotional learning to our scholars.” 

Makel Wells, a senior, pointed out the room’s practical and psychological benefits. “It’s a place where you can do your work. Sometimes school is either moving too fast, too stressful or too loud. But in here, you can take a rest break.” 

Senior Anthony Armstrong agrees. “If you’re at your breaking point, you can come in here and listen to music or rest.” 

“I visit Mellow and the other animals,” said senior Rickale Green, petting the lizard on her chest. 

“After two years of being in an unprecedented, worldwide pandemic, we’re able to offer a place that students can come for hope, mental support, pet therapy and peace,” said Jeffries. “It makes me proud as a school leader that we are able to show that the social and emotional needs of our scholars are just as important as their academic needs.”  

The SIUE Charter High School is a school-of-choice for families in the East St. Louis School District 189. The mission of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School is to prepare students who are career- and college-ready upon graduation. To achieve this mission, the school and its staff will positively impact the educational and economic lives of East St. Louis, Illinois youth through individualized instruction in core academic subjects, exploration of career interests and aptitudes, assistance in realizing students’ talents, high academic goals, and expectations that graduates will become competitive employees for the 21st century. 

Photos:
(L-R): Sydney McGhee and Katelynn Palmer visit with one of the gerbils in the Peace Room. 

Makel Wells takes time out with Einstein, the school’s pet turtle. 

Jakailah Hardiman reads some of the positive affirmations in the Peace Room.