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Forest Hills highlights new sensory room at Eastern High; foundation grant funded project
Summary
Forest Hills Public Schools showcased a new sensory room at Eastern High School during the Oct. 13 board meeting, saying the space — funded by the Forest Hills Foundation — helps students with autism and other sensory needs regulate and rejoin classroom instruction.
At its Oct. 13 meeting, the Forest Hills Board of Education heard an instructional highlight from Amy Kello, principal of Eastern High School, about a sensory room the school opened in the past year.
Kello said the room supports the district’s categorical program for students with autism and “has been a game changer in our building.” She told the board the space gives students "some wonderful space for our kids with sensory needs" to self-regulate so they can return to class ready to learn.
District staff credited the Forest Hills Foundation with providing grant funding that made the sensory room possible. The board presentation described the room as available on a scheduled — not punitive — basis, intended both for students with autism and for other students who have sensory needs.
School staff and peer helpers described how the room is used. Student Tobin said, “My favorite part about the sensory room is the scooters.” Student Nina said the room helps students “better focus” and return to class calmer and more ready to learn. Staff presenters described the use of the room for co-regulation — staff modeling calm to help students return to a regulated learning state.
The principal provided background on autism spectrum disorder and emphasized that behavior often functions as communication when students cannot use words to express needs. She said the sensory room supports strategies for regulation and is integrated into daily practice rather than being an earned or punitive space.
Board members and attendees praised the room during discussion, noting that some students who do not have a diagnosis of autism nevertheless benefit from sensory supports. No formal action was taken at the meeting beyond the instructional presentation.
Clarifying details: the presentation stated the sensory room was implemented within the last year and funded by a Forest Hills Foundation grant; the transcript did not specify a dollar amount for that grant. The presentation described scheduled room access and use by peer helpers and staff; the district emphasized the room is not punitive and is intended to support inclusion.
The board’s instructional highlight also included a brief video of students using the room and remarks from the multidisciplinary ASD team that works at Eastern High School.
