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Courtesy Wantagh School District
Marc Farb hung a wooden sign above the door of Sara’s Sensory Space at Forest Lake Elementary in Wantagh. The new space, named for Farb’s late wife, Serafina ‘Sara’ Farb, offers students a calming environment in which they can relax and refocus during the school day.
A place for kids to unwind New ‘sensory space’ gives students a comfortable setting By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
A new “sensory space” at Forest Lake Elementary School, in Wantagh, will offer students a peaceful, calming environment where they can relax and relieve the stresses of a day at school. The new facility, called Sara’s Sensory Space, in honor of a late faculty member, was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting at the school last Friday. Forest Lake Principal Thomas Burke led the ceremony, and was joined by students and members of the school’s PTA and Special Education PTA. According to Burke, the purpose of the space is to help students calm their senses and return to class more focused.
“It’s just for kids to come to have a place to go to kind of chill out, calm down and take their mind off of things that are going on in other places,” Burke said. The space is designed to be a soothing environment. Christine Fernandez, Forest Lake’s occupational therapist, said the room can benefit any student, whether he or she wants to move around or just relax. “If they need a motor break, there’s things in there that allow them to do that, and there’s a space for it,” Fernandez said. “If they’re overstimulated and they need a break, you can make the environment a little more soothing and calming.” The sensory space features dim lighting, which Fernandez said helps to create a ConTinuEd on pagE 7
There’s no place like Wantagh — but you don’t need us to tell you that. It is full of kind people, wonderful local spots to dine and shop, historical hideaways — and so many other gems — that it’s no wonder the community keeps on thriving. Wantagh residents come together in times of need, because they want the best not only for themselves, but also for the people around them — their children, their neighbors and their friends. The Wantagh Herald is your community newspaper. There is no other publication or news outlet that knows this town, its people and the things you care about as well as we do. We’re there for you in the best of times and the worst of times — no matter what. This week’s Herald is being mailed to every home, and includes a copy of our popular annual magazine, Living In Wantagh and Seaford. It’s filled with great information you can use throughout the year, and it features a look at what makes Wantagh such a great community. If you’re not a Herald subscriber, we hope that a look at this week’s paper will persuade
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