BCEF Annual Campaign Addresses Student Needs at Batesville Intermediate School

The Pause Place is an essential support system for students who need a reset when big emotions get in the way of learning.

Rendering of Pause Place. Photo provided.

(Batesville, Ind.) - The emotional impact of today’s societal challenges has increased within the student population at Batesville Intermediate School (BIS). To address the effect this is having on students’ ability to succeed in the classroom, the Batesville Community Education Foundation’s (BCEF) 2026 annual campaign will raise funds for a more private space for those who need short-term support during the school day. In partnership with the Batesville Community School Corporation (BCSC), BCEF will help BIS create The Pause Place—an essential support system for students who need a reset when big emotions get in the way of learning.

“While it’s difficult to think about, some of our students come to school carrying immense emotional burdens,” explained BCEF Executive Director Anne Wilson. “Anxiety, grief, and any other number of concerns are a lot for these young students—only eight to 10 years old—to manage, along with typical developmental changes at these ages. More often than we would like, students end up in the school clinic with physical manifestations of their emotions. What they usually need is a private place to process these emotions with trusted adults. Unfortunately, the current office configuration at BIS does not provide enough private space for the number of students needing help.”

Under a process approved and supported by BCSC, BIS plans to do a full-scale office reconfiguration, allowing for the creation of The Pause Place, an expansion of the current counseling area that will provide designated spaces for students who need additional support. BCEF will provide the funding needed for The Pause Place’s interior and exterior furnishings, emotional support items, and any additional items to allow students to reset.

Features of The Pause Place include office space for counselors, a small group area, designated emotional regulation spaces (like the privacy pods created at Batesville High School), and upgrades to the current enclosed courtyard, which students will be able to access directly from The Pause Place. Plans include an outdoor water feature there for natural stress reduction, as well as new seating.

“Nearly 700 visits were made to the BIS counselor last year,” said BIS Principal Dana Cassidy. “Of those, 99% were for social or emotional concerns. The current office floor plan has limited space for students waiting to receive services for any number of reasons. Addressing a student’s ability to learn is utmost in our minds every minute of the school day, and The Pause Place would allow us to provide a separate space for these students with emotional needs that are getting them off-track. The goal is to help them relax, reset and get back to the classroom. We can help them take a pause and be able to focus on learning.”

“As the parent of a BIS student, this project really spoke to me,” added Jama Linkel-Cleghorn, BCEF vice president and 2026 annual campaign chair. “The third to fifth grade years bring a lot of change to students, both physically and academically. On top of that, some of our students have a lot to manage emotionally. That makes learning difficult. Our goal is to provide a space where they can go for a few minutes to regroup in a calm environment. Everyone deserves privacy when they are upset.”

Work on The Pause Place and BIS office restructuring is due to begin in early 2027. Donations to the BCEF Annual Campaign are requested by September 30. More information about the project is available at the foundation’s website: http://www.batesvilleeducationfoundation.org/. A paper donation form is available for download, or donations can be made online. Any questions can be directed to Wilson at awilson@batesville.k12.in.us.

Since 2017, BCEF has donated more than $500,000 toward flexible learning components at all four BCSC school buildings. In addition, BCEF funds vital programs at BCSC, such as Bulldog Ready community-connected learning support, classroom grants, the Art on Main community outreach initiative, as well as a staff support program. To date, the total impact on BCSC from BCEF is valued at more than $1 million.