In late February, students at Coarsegold Elementary School in Madera County roamed around a classroom that’s like no other on campus.
One student jumped on a mini-trampoline, releasing pent-up energy. Others settled into a rocking chair or on beanbags to read books. Another wore headphones as she constructed blocks.This is Coarsegold’s Zen Den. Designed to help students manage their emotions, the calming space is a small part of California’s multi-year, $4 billion effort to turn thousands of high-poverty campuses into community schools.
Community schools are not a new concept. The model is defined by a few key principles and provides services not normally found at a traditional school, including health care, mental health support and food pantries. These schools emphasize the “whole child approach,” which aims to meet a child’s academic, physical, mental and social and emotional needs. Educators work with families and local organizations to figure out how to best support students and communities…