Find It Fund It Florida | Classroom Grant

A Place to Regulate, Reset and Rise

School:: Van R Butler Elementary
Subject:: Teaching Quality
Teacher:: Jenna Duplessis
: Summer Green, Kim Breanne Williams
Students Impacted:: 846
Grade:: Pre K - 5
Date:: October 9, 2025

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

The Alys Foundation - $2,000.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 846

The sensory regulation room was created to provide students with a safe, supportive space where they can manage overwhelming emotions, reduce stress, and regain self-control during the school day. Many students experience moments when frustration, anxiety, anger, or sensory overload can interfere with their ability to learn and interact positively with others. The purpose of this room is to offer proactive support by giving students access to calming tools and sensory resources that help them reset before behaviors escalate or learning time is significantly impacted.

Students utilize the room when they need a brief break from the classroom environment to regulate their emotions and refocus. While in the space, students may use seating options, sensory lighting, sound supports, tactile materials, or calming strategies that best meet their individual needs. Staff members guide students in using the room appropriately so they learn healthy coping skills, self-awareness, and strategies they can apply independently over time. The room is not only a place for calming down, but also a place for teaching students how to recognize emotions and respond in productive ways.

The outcomes of the sensory room have been highly positive. Students are able to return to class in a calmer, more focused mindset and are better prepared to re-engage in learning activities with their peers. Teachers have seen improved transitions back to instruction, fewer classroom disruptions, and increased time spent on learning. Additionally, the room has strengthened our school’s commitment to supporting the whole child by promoting emotional wellness, inclusion, and student success both academically and socially.

Original Grant Overview

Goal

Our goal for this sensory room, is to create a dedicated sensory space that supports all students’ emotional regulation, focus, and well-being by providing tools and environments designed to meet diverse sensory needs. We want to build a safe and calming sensory space where students with diverse needs can take a moment to breathe, reset, and regain their emotional balance—allowing them to feel supported, understood, and ready to thrive in the classroom. Providing students with a safe and supportive space to manage their emotions helps them return to the classroom ready to learn, connect, and contribute in ways that benefit both themselves and their peers.

What will be done with my students

Through this grant, students will have access to a calm, supportive space designed to help them manage emotions, reduce stress, and refocus. The sensory room will include tools such as soft lighting, tactile materials, and calming activities that meet a range of sensory needs.

Students will visit the room as needed to take a short, structured break and practice self-regulation strategies with staff guidance. Over time, this space will help students build confidence, emotional awareness, and coping skills—allowing them to return to class ready to learn and contribute positively to the school community.

Benefits to my students

The sensory room will benefit the entire school community by providing a safe, structured space for students to regulate their emotions and refocus before returning to class. This proactive approach helps reduce classroom disruptions, increase instructional time, and promote a calmer, more positive learning environment. It also supports teachers by offering an additional tool to address students’ emotional and behavioral needs effectively. Over time, the sensory room will foster a culture of empathy, inclusion, and emotional wellness that strengthens the overall school climate and enhances academic success for all students.

Budget Narrative

Funding from this grant will be used to create a calm and safe sensory environment that supports students’ emotional regulation and focus.
Items requested include:

Matted carpet tiles to make the hard flooring safe and comfortable for students.

Soft pillows and seating to provide cozy, relaxing spaces for calming breaks.

Posters and visuals that promote emotional regulation and help students identify and manage feelings.

Calming music and headphones to support focus, reduce overstimulation, and create a peaceful atmosphere.

A wall timer to help students manage time during sensory breaks and transition smoothly back to class.

Textured and tactile wall panels to offer sensory input and support students with sensory-seeking needs.

Sensory lighting to create a soothing visual environment that promotes relaxation and comfort.

Together, these materials will transform the sensory room into a supportive space where students can safely regulate emotions, practice coping strategies, and return to the classroom ready to learn. These tools directly align with the project’s goal of meeting diverse student needs while fostering a positive, inclusive school environment.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	Portable wall mounted CD player	$35.00
2	Countdown Clock	$55.00
3	Hatch Rest Sound Machine	$70.00
4	Pillows	$30.00
5	Sensory Bubble Fish Light Tube	$500.00
6	Cube Chair	$138.00
7	LED Glowing Ball	$189.00
8	Bean Bag Chair	$140.00
9	3 piece interactive sequin Board	$158.00
10	Sensory wall panel	$180.00
11	Sensory Liquid Floor	$150.00
12	Canoe Chair	$125.00
13	Comfort 6pcs Round Floor Cushions	$60.00
14	Wood Grain Floor Tile	$100.00
15	Headphones (5)	$70.00
	Total:	$2,000.00

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A Place to Regulate, Reset and Rise

Investor

Impact to My Classroom

Original Grant Overview

Goal

Category

What will be done with my students

Benefits to my students

Budget Narrative

Items

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