DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — Students at Dothan Preparatory Academy now have a place to go if they need to take a break from the school day.

It’s called a sensory room.

“It’s a room where the kids can go for a calm down area,” Dothan Prep, Special Education Teacher Briana Gibson said. “If they are getting frustrated or if they just need to let off some steam or if they just want to socialize and collaborate with their peers on social skills. This area was designed for them.”

DPA applied for a grant in April last year and was chosen during the summer.

The grant was for $5,000 from the Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development Council.

Two weeks ago, at a soft opening, students got a preview of the finished product, and now students can use it whenever they need to. All they have to do is ask the teacher.

The grant also funded what’s called a Wolf Pack Cafe.

A place where faculty and staff can go to buy snacks and drinks from students, who are learning how to use a cash register, how to stock a pantry, and other basic life-functioning skills.