Peace Room at AC!

Peace rooms are integral to a healthy and productive learning environment. While they are so important, not many schools in our surrounding area offer them. Thus, at Allendale Columbia, it is our job to bring awareness to Peace Rooms and help spread their core values. So, what are Peace Rooms? Broadly speaking, Peace Rooms are designated spaces in the school where students can partake in deescalating activities, restorative practices and Peace Circles. Under further analysis, we learned that restorative practices are used to discuss the needs of the school, foster healthy relationships within the school community, eliminate or limit unhealthy and harmful behaviors, repair damaged relationships in the school community, and resolve conflict between students and educators. We also learned more about Peace Circles, which help bring students together to discuss and work through issues going on both inside and outside of school walls in a community setting. Other conversations will be with the purpose of helping students’ mental health, while others may target difficult issues or create opportunities to get to know people on a deeper level.

Another thing we discussed in regards to Peace Rooms was what type of programming we could offer. We discussed TV screenings, yoga hours and therapy dog visits. All of these events could be used to help bring the school together and help destress our busy students. In addition to programming, we discussed always having certain offerings accessible to students in the Peace Room. These activities and offerings include: aroma therapy, art therapy, music therapy, mural design, writing journals, food and drinks, fidget toys, plant care, a space for quiet reflection and a space for larger group discussions.

To best gauge how the student body and faculty will respond to such offerings, we (the students of Making an Impact: Locally) have devised a form to send out to the school. We have included questions ranging from “How Often Would You Utilize the Peace Room?”, “What Kinds of Activities Help You Feel Calm?” and “When You’re Feeling Stressed or Dysregulated, Would You Prefer to be Alone or With Others?” Our goal with this survey is to best identify how our school can utilize and grow from having a Peace Room. Of course, every school community is different, so we want to tailor our Peace Room to fit Allendale as perfectly as possible.

Another issue discussed by our Making an Impact: Locally class was what room to choose for the Peace Room. At first, we considered the all-glass room in the library since it was separated from classroom triggers and is currently not being used; however, after looking at other spaces open in the school, we found an even better location. Room 8 provides nice privacy from the outside hallways and a pretty window to the outdoors (perfect for plant care!). In addition, it has two levels- one that can be used for group conversations and one that can be used for a quiet, individual space. Room 8 also has big brick walls (perfect for painting a mural!), and definitely enough space for larger community programming.

In summary, we hope to design an amazing Peace Room for the AC community which can provide aid to students and faculty in a number of ways. In doing this, hopefully AC’s Peace Room will become a model for many more schools to come.

-Olivia Fries