Every pre-K through second-grade classroom in Clay County District Schools is getting a mental health toolkit stocked with sensory tools designed to help young students manage stress, regulate emotions and stay focused.

The district, the Clay Education Foundation and Baptist Health launched the program Tuesday, Sept. 29, Clay Today first reported. The $410,000 initiative covers 625 classrooms at 36 public schools and is expected to reach about 7,400 students.

The program is called Resilient Minds, Thriving Classrooms, according to a Baptist Health announcement and a Sept. 30 Baptist Health post on X.

The initiative includes educator training and family mental health materials alongside the physical classroom toolkits. The kits are provided at no cost to teachers.

Toolkits designed for everyday classroom use

Fleming Island Elementary School served as the pilot site.

Principal Mallory McConnell said teachers often spend their own time and money or rely on family donations to purchase similar classroom resources. Having the toolkits provided at no cost, she said, could make a significant difference.

"For these to be provided to them completely free to assist our learners [is] going to make a big impact overall," McConnell said at the Sept. 29 launch.

Each classroom toolbox contains worry stones for anxiety, adhesive sensory stickers, a weighted lap pad animal, brain-break sticks with mindfulness prompts, seat bands for lower-body movement and a wobble cushion. Timers, desk dividers, a marble maze and an activity poster round out the kit.

The tools can be used at desks, learning stations, during circle time or in designated calming areas.

Clay Education Foundation President and CEO Carolyn Krall said the foundation developed the toolkit contents after surveying teachers across the district about what they needed.

The initiative builds on a predecessor program called Calming Corners, introduced during the previous school year, which featured beanbags and sensory items.

"We really wanted to build upon that