Chartiers Valley is planning to keep things chill this school year.
The district approved a contract with Allegheny Health Network for the Chill Project, which teaches school-age children emotional and coping techniques.
The total cost of the program is $300,000, or $75,000 allocated to each of the district’s schools. Funding at the middle and high schools will be covered through a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grant. The district will cover costs at the intermediate and primary schools.
The Chill Project was in all district schools in the 2023-24 school year.
The project provides for “chill rooms,” where students who are having an episode can go to decompress. Students also learn from AHN providers how to positively react to their emotions and stress.
“The Chill Program provides such a benefit to our students and staff,” said Jade Fiore, Chartiers Valley’s director of pupil services. “I am so thankful the board continues to invest in the program because it offers all students in K-12 the opportunity to learn about the importance of mental health.
“By teaching them emotional intelligence, we are empowering them to succeed in and out of the classroom.”
A report provided to district officials from AHN stated that 165 students in Chartiers Valley were enrolled in school-based therapy during last school year.
The primary, intermediate and middle schools had nine monthly “Chill Room” lessons throughout the school year for every student, and the high school delivered lessons to students during health class, according to AHN.
Across all schools, 812 total program lessons were provided to students, including any additional program lessons requested by teachers or administrators.
“Students that utilize the Chill Room report an overall decrease in stress levels,” AHN’s report said. “Students use evidence-based coping skills and spend an average of 5-15 minutes in the space. Top reasons students utilized the Chill Room included peer conflict, family, big emotions, overstimulation, scheduled check ins and stress.”
The Chill Project also supports school staff, AHN said, through professional developments, support groups and consultations. AHN also reported 56 “possible lives saved,” at Chartiers Valley, a figure determined from both adults and students who reported suicidal thoughts or plans that the AHN Chill Project staff assisted with.
