Calming Corners
Seeds of Hope: Calming Corners Initiative
Seeds of Hope, an initiative of Blossoms of Hope, is dedicated to supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of students across Howard County. One of the key branches of this work is helping schools create Calming Corners — spaces designed to help students manage emotions, refocus, and thrive in the classroom.
Where It Started
The initiative began at Stevens Forest Elementary School, a Howard County Community School. With support from Blossoms of Hope, each classroom received funding to create a Calming Corner — a safe, quiet area where students can take a moment to self-regulate and return to learning without missing valuable class time or disrupting their peers. The results were immediate: fewer behavioral disruptions and improved focus throughout the day.
Stevens Forest Elementary School's Assistant Principal, Casey Shurman, discussing the benefits of Calming Corners in each of the classrooms.
Expanding the Vision
Building on that success, we partnered with Laurel Woods Elementary School to implement “Zen Dens” in every classroom and office space. Teachers tailored their Zen Dens to fit their students’ needs and behavioral goals, creating customized spaces that promote calm and connection. Both staff and students have seen the positive impact.
Laurel Woods Elementary School's Community School Site Coordinator, Alesia Richter, showing a Zen Den in one of the classrooms.
Looking Ahead
Inspired by these outcomes, Blossoms of Hope plans to expand the program by bringing Calming Corners or Zen Dens to every elementary school in Howard County, beginning with Title I and Community Schools.
We are currently working with the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) to establish a grant process that allows teachers to apply for funding to create spaces that best fit their classrooms — whether they’re called Calming Corners, Zen Dens, or something unique to their school community.
Through this effort, Seeds of Hope continues to plant seeds of mindfulness, empathy, and emotional growth in every classroom — one calming corner at a time.
Apply for a Calming Corner Grant
Is your school ready to create a safe, restorative space for students? The Seeds of Hope Grant provides funding to help implement Calming Corners, Zen Dens, or a space that fits your school’s unique needs.
Application Window: November 10 – December 12
Grant Notifications: Late December / Early January
Apply today and give your students a space to reset, refocus, and thrive!
Sponsor a School: Support Calming Corners in Our Classrooms
You can make a lasting difference in the lives of students right here in Howard County by sponsoring a school’s Calming Corners or Zen Dens through the Seeds of Hope initiative.
Your sponsorship helps schools create safe, supportive spaces where students can take a moment to reset, manage emotions, and return to learning ready to succeed. Together, we can improve the overall wellbeing of children in our community — one classroom at a time.
Calming Corner Sponsors
Seeds of Hope Sponsors
