Administrators at Nye Elementary School had a vision to provide a space for teachers and staff to take a break from their daily workload, then return to their duties with new vigor and energy. That idea became a reality on September 27 when the school held a ribbon cutting ceremony and invited teachers, staff and district leaders to come and sample the new space called the Wildcat Zen Den.
Cynthia Caballero, Nye Elementary school principal, credits third grade teacher Krystal Molina for helping to set up the Wildcat Zen Den. She says that many of the items for the special room were donated, including a sectional from Ashley's Furniture and a massage chair purchased by a group of parents.
"We are here for our students' academic growth, but we also want our teachers and staff to have that mental growth," said Caballero. "This is a space for them to come and relax for a bit, have some quiet time, rejuvenate, refocus and then go back to the classroom, so they can spread that energy to our students."
The room has different areas set up for relaxing activities, such as puzzles and coloring books. Caballero says someone can just sit down and rest their eyes, take a break from a stressful moment or day. There is even a little coffee area and room for hosting events, like the zen ceremony.
"I want to promote mental health because we all need to have positive energy going into our busy days," stresses the principal. "If our teachers are mentally healthy, then of course, they come to work happy. Happy teachers equal to happy students, and our students will be successful."
Caballero has been at the school for more than 20 years as a principal and assistant principal. The school serves close to 700 students, PreK to 5th grades, and employs about 90 people, including 50 teachers.
"It's a big beautiful school with long hallways and big windows," she says.
It has a sensory room for special education students, and she hopes to one day provide a zen room for its students as well.
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The large room has different areas set up for various relaxing activities.
Nye teachers and administrators are happy with the new zen den.
Ashley's Furniture Store representatives make sectional donation.
Associate Superintendent Rebecca C. Morales addressed the guests.
This massage chair was donated by a group of parents.
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