The Cub Den at SME

The “Cub Den” is Stone Mountain Elementary's Tier 1 regulation room. It’s part of DCSD’s Home Base program. This room allows any student who exhibits emotional, social, and/or behavioral concerns to access a comfortable space that promotes self-regulation and assists those students in applying strategies to use back in their classrooms and in life. The methods used are based on the “Zones of Regulation”.

Some of our students take breaks regularly in the Cub Den, others visit on an as-needed basis, while many never even step foot inside! For all students at SME though, the Cub Den is here should they ever need it.

The four main areas of the Cub Den and some of their tools are:

1) Movement: yoga balls, trampoline, movement cards/games, 2-minute exercise posters, rocker/arch, balance stones, balls for catch, large tiles for building

2) Sensory: sensory toys, kinetic and normal sand, putty, orbeez, sensory wall and tiles, soft lights, sensory table, squeeze machine, body socks

3) Quiet: music, calming corner, breathing cards, comfy chairs, small blocks and tiles, legos, games, puzzles, books, drawing/coloring supplies, fidgets, a familiar face to chat with

4) Independent Work: separate space to work quietly, headphones, timers, weighted lap pads, fidgets, seating options

The Cub Den is staffed by Chrissy Howard, who originally joined SME in 2022 as an Educational Assistant. After completing the Registered Behavior Technician course through the Institute for Behavioral Training over the summer of 2023, Chrissy then got to work creating our Cub Den. Chrissy first became interested in social-emotional learning when helping her own child through therapy for Sensory Processing Disorder years ago. She's honored to provide a safe, vulnerable, yet fun and cozy space for students to take breaks, reset, check-in, self-reflect and practice regulation strategies. Chrissy absolutely loves spending time and connecting with all our wonderful SME kids. She especially enjoys popping in on kids at lunch and recess to see all their happy faces! Feel free to contact her at choward1@dcsdk12.org.

Mrs. Howard works M,T,Th,F. On Wednesdays, students are encouraged to take self-guided classroom breaks using the tools and skills they've practiced in the Cub Den. Our school counselor, psychologist and administrative staff are available to help any students who may need to access the Cub Den on a Wednesday.

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