AHN Chill Project launches at Curtisville Primary School

Success of a behavioral wellness program at Deer Lakes’ East Union Intermediate School has led to it now being offered at Curtisville Primary School.

Curtisville students were greeted Monday morning by Allegheny Health Network and Pittsburgh Pirates staff, which included two racing Pierogi mascots, the Pirate Parrot and announcer Joe Klimchak, to kick off the AHN Chill Project at the school, which serves students from kindergarten through second grade.

“The AHN Chill Mobile project is an evidence-based, behavioral health program,” said Roslyn Korai, manager of the AHN Chill Project and Chill Mobile.

The program is partnered with more than 40 schools in the region, including at buildings in the New Kensington-Arnold, Pine-Richland and Chartiers Valley school districts.

The project teaches students coping skills, how to identify and manage emotions and how to respond positively to stress, Korai said. Teaching students those lessons at a young age will benefit them later in life and in adulthood, she said.

“It helps them understand it’s OK to talk about these emotions,” she said.

The Chill Mobile RV will spend time at Curtisville for a week three times this year, in the fall, winter and spring.

The program costs Deer Lakes $16,000 and is being paid for with federal covid relief funds, spokesman Shawn Annarelli said. The program kicked off at East Union last year.

The Chill Mobile visited East Union three times last school year, Principal Jodi VanderSchaaff said, and AHN professionals provided lessons focused on coping skills and ways for students to help calm themselves when they feel anxious or overwhelmed about something.

It also provided a “Chill Corner” in every classroom, or an ottoman with supplies such as tools for breathing exercises or a fidget item, to allow students to take a break while still being part of the classroom instruction, VanderSchaaff said. Those dedicated spaces have been a game-changer, she said.

“It taught students that it’s OK to have feelings of being anxious or nervous and that there are ways to help calm yourself when you’re feeling that way,” she said. “It also showed students that sometimes just taking a minute and finding a quiet space to sit and take some deep breaths helps everyone to feel a little bit better.”

Jennifer Cavalancia, Curtisville’s principal, said the Chill Project is an extension of the behavioral wellness initiatives happening across the district.

“Mental health is equally as important to allow (students) to achieve academic success,” she said.

She was excited for the Chill Project’s launch and said lessons learned throughout the program will give students tools to help manage their emotions.

“We’re excited the Pirates and AHN care about, and invest in, improving overall students’ wellness,” she said.