Teachers and staff at United South High School can now take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life by visiting the newly created Zen Room. This quiet and relaxing oasis located inside the panther library is designed to help promote the mental well-being of all campus employees. It is a quiet space where faculty and staff can retreat for meditation, regrouping or relaxation.
“You get overwhelmed when you feel the world around you going at such a fast pace, and you can’t center yourself or collect your thoughts. I want my teachers to come and find peace in the silence, calm in the stillness and understand that they have the strength to go out there and do it all over again,” said United South High School Principal Martha Alvarez.
The idea to create a Zen Room was first discussed over the summer when Principal Alvarez took over the position. Together with her staff they created a vision board and executed their plan. Though their budget to create this space was limited, they got creative and began to take donations. Upon entering the Zen Room you will find it is compartmentalized into different areas. There is a private teepee where you can sit with pillows and practice meditation. There is also a couch and several sofas where you can sit quietly or read, free of distractions. There is also a lounge and massage chair where you can just lay back and unwind. The soothing sounds of nature music, a water fountain and the smell of eucalyptus are sure to awaken your senses, giving you a full spa-like experience.
“I think it's a change of mindset, because my first time here I almost felt guilty for relaxing,” said Science Teacher Kristin Ovalle. “I think it’s going to be a shift for a lot of teachers because we aren't used to having a place to ourselves. It’s been a great experience, de-stressing before and after going into difficult parts of your day.”
Faculty and staff who use the Zen Room must check in using a QR code. This will collect data for the school to determine what times during the school year the room is most utilized and how they can improve it.
The Zen Room at United South High School is the first of its kind in the district.
Even though the room is completed they are hoping to improve it over time and invite the public to make donations. Principal Alvarez hopes to expand the experience for students into the library and eventually a garden where they can practice self-care. The Zen Room is available to all campus employees from 7:45 am to 4:30 pm.
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