The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1490242
Wednesday, Januar y 18, 2023 The Press-Dispatch A-3 LOCAL Submit news items: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: news@pressdispatch.net WES Sensory Pathway: A creative colorful path for the mind and body By Mendy Ross Correspondent news@pressdispatch.net Winslow Elementary students can be seen jumping, hop- ping, tiptoeing, and even doing wall push-ups in the hallway through a Sensory Pathway, which is a creative colorful path for physical and mental activity. Jenn Deffendoll, six year WES Reading Interventionist, came across the Sensory Pathway while researching Minds in Motion, something the school also has in progress. "I fell in love with the idea of having a hallway dedicated to movement because it benefits children in so many ways," Deffendoll said. "The goal of my project was to provide all Winslow Elementary students with activities that not only increase their physical ac- tivity, but also help maximize their brain's potential to learn." She decided to propose a grant titled A Kinesthetic Ap- proach to Teaching and Learning to the Pike County Commu- nity Foundation, in which they granted. "Thanks to their gen- erosity, I was able to make my vision a reality," Deffendoll said. "I thought the project was such a good idea," Pike Coun- ty Community Foundation member Kelley Hook said. "I love how it can be used at the Pre-K level through fifth grade in many lessons, it can be used for P T (Physical Therapy) and OT (occupational therapy), speech, emotional regulation, and inside recess. When we make the decision to fund a project, we always look at the demographic and the number of people it will impact. With this project, we saw that it can be used by every student (and staff member) at Winslow Elementary for many years. I think I can speak for the Community Foundation Board when I say it was a worthy investment for our kiddos at Winslow Elementary!" The pathway was installed over Christmas Break, on De- cember 23, 2022, which according to Deffendoll was "the coldest day ever." She had a team of helpers who installed the project: her parents, Alan and Deloris Henson, as well as two of her children, Taylor and LJ Deffendoll. "Jim Lemond, who is a wonderful custodian at WES, was also a huge help," Def- fendoll said. "He got the floors ready for installation and sealed them after we finished in order to increase the longevity of the pathway." The new pathway is located in the main hallway outside of the cafeteria and extends to the end of the hall outside of the gym. "Kids need movement but with all the pressure schools face, it can become an afterthought," WES Principal Aaron Mey- er said. "Our new sensory hallway brightens the pathway of our main hallway and provides for a quick, structured, and thoughtful pattern of movements. We are able to help students use and improve their learning through movement. We are able to help them wire their brains in healthy ways by adding movement, fun, and play to other parts of the day outside of recess." Principal Meyer added "I have found myself trying it with students as we walk to class. It's an excellent way to build connections with students. I would encourage anyone in the building to give it a try with their students." "Our kindergarten class has loved the new addition to our school," WES teacher Kim Russell said. "We call it our "ac- tivity path" and use it to jumpstart our day. We work on our coordination and gross motor skills to get us into the learning mindset for the day." So far the project has been a huge hit. One student, Lisa Barley, said, "It is fun! We are learning to take turns. I like it." Another student, Alton Clauss, couldn't decide on a favorite and said, "Everything is my favorite thing on the activity path!" WES student Hunter Seger added, "It is really fun and I love it!" According to Deffendoll the kids really seem to enjoy being able to do something fun as they go down the hallway. She added, "to them it's like play, but it's actually movement with a purpose. It helps students self-regulate, helps them focus better in the classroom, and helps create an overall positive mood, and they think they're just having fun." To learn more about why the sensory pathway is important addition for students, check out shorturl.at/jqUZ7. Jenn Deffendoll, WES Reading Interventionist, and her mother, Deloris Henson, work on installing the new Sensory Pathway on December 23, 2022, for Winslow Elementary School. The pathway can be found in the main hallway outside of the cafeteria and extends to the end of the hall outside of the gym. Def- fendoll was able to see her vision become reality with funds from the Pike County Community Foundation. Deloris and Alan Henson, Jenn Deffendoll's par- ents, help install the new Sensory Pathway on De- cember 23, 2022, for Winslow Elementary School. Deffendoll proposed a grant titled A Kinesthetic Ap- proach to Teaching and Learning to the Pike County Community Foundation, in which they granted. WES students Emberlin Risley, Kayson Burton and Ruby Johnson try out the Tree Pose which is part of the new Sensory Pathway in the school's hallway. "I fell in love with the idea of having a hallway dedicated to movement because it benefits children in so many ways," WES Reading Interventionist Jenn Deffendoll said.