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PHOTO COURTESY OF PHRD NO. 7
Jacquie Bradet (left) and Molly Plitt (right), parents of children who attend BES, demonstrate how the Light Space Floor works. The floor lights up in different ways for different games. They are joined by Dale Bujold, the principal at Barrhead Elementary School.
The Dr Doug Fleming Sunshine Room at Barrhead Elementary School (BES) doesn’t have any south-facing windows; in fact, it doesn’t have any windows at all—but the name still makes sense. “When students and community members use this room, it’s like they’ve been lit up by a ray of sunshine,” says Kim Messmer, early education program assistant at BES.
Finlay Ferguson, a student at Barrhead Elementary School, tries out the “sky walker swing” during the opening of the Sunshine Room. The swing is one of the most popular features in the room.
In the dimly lit room, soft music plays, a cloth swing sways, pillows vibrate gently, blobs of of light float across the walls and bubbles rise and fall in tall, transparent tubes. “It’s called a snoezlen room,” explains Messmer. “The idea is that a multisensory environment will promote feelings of calm and well-being for adults and children with special needs.” Since opening in mid-February, the Sunshine Room has served dozens of students and community members, including those with autism or developmental disabilities, stroke victims and the elderly.
The campaign to build the Sunshine Room began in 2009, when a committee of dedicated volunteers began the process of applying for grants, choosing a location for the room and selecting and installing the proper equipment. Dr Doug Fleming, who passed away suddenly in 2012, was a long-time advocate for students with disabilities in the community. Dr Fleming served the Pembina Hills School Division for 40 years as a teacher, principal, director, associate superintendent and trustee. “He was passionate about children, especially children with special needs,” says Messmer. “When it came time to name the room, we all agreed we’d like to honour his contribution to the community.”
Pitching in
Many community groups and professional organizations played a hand in bringing the Sunshine Room from dream to reality.
- Alberta Teachers’ Association
- Alberta Health Services—Early childhood development coordinator, occupational therapists
- Barrhead Elementary School
- Barrhead Elementary School Parent Advisory Association
- Blue Heron Support Services Association
- Pembina Hills Regional Division No 7
- Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Northeast Region
- Summer Play and Grow Society, in conjunction with BES Preschool Readiness Education Program ❚
