Coping Skills Fair Returns to North Dover | Toms River Regional School District

It's a good day to teach coping skills, indeed. Guidance counselor Alexandra Crockett is surrounded by her fifth-grade Kindness Club students during their Coping Skills Fair held today at North Dover.

May 27, 2026- The inaugural Coping Skills Fair at North Dover Elementary School was such a success last year, they had to bring it back.

It's officially "annual" now, the student-led event that teaches strategies for managing stress and emotions. Founded by guidance counselor Alexandra Crockett and implemented by her fifth-grade Kindness Club, the Coping Skills Fair took place today at the home of the Pirates.

The yoga mat was a popular attraction at the Coping Skills Fair.

The timing of this year's fair was intentional, as May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Stations that focused on deep breathing, yoga, emotions, positive affirmations, sensory regulators, art, and expression were manned by the fifth graders, who guided the younger students on how these activities help regulate emotions.

Someone is feeling happy at the Emotions station.

Implementing the fair is a year-long effort, but one that's well worth it, according to Crockett.

"We want our kids to be taking on a leadership role, not just today at their stations, but throughout the school and throughout the year," she said.

Even the fifth-grade leaders manning the station couldn't resist using the fidgets ... although it's unclear how they work on top of the head.

Another difference between this year and last is that, whereas in 2025 the event was limited to kindergarten and first grade, the entire school was able to participate this time around, entering the gym in rotations throughout the day.

A fun, active, student-centered, and immensely positive event proved to the perfect coping mechanism for a mid-week, rainy morning.

Additional photos of the Coping Skills Fair are below.