1738 - Fr. Francisco Garcés born in Spain; came through SCV in 1776, found Tataviam fighting with Coastal Chumash, observed Santa Clara River flowing by night and dry by day despite the season being spring [story]
Every kid should have the chance to play. That’s the philosophy behind a brand new inclusive playground making its debut on Friday at Valley View Community School, which for the past 12 years has served the most medically fragile students in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Designed and constructed in cooperation with local playground builder Sun Country Systems, the inclusive playground will serve as a national demonstration project for accessible playgrounds created to serve children of all abilities.
“The Board of Trustees and our entire staff truly believe that every child should have the opportunity to be included and play,” said Dr. Catherine Kawaguchi, superintendent of the Sulphur Springs Union School District. “This is why this playground means so much.”
The Sulphur Springs District school serves children in preschool through sixth grade and includes a recently completed two-story building with state-of-the-art facilities to serve the therapy and educational needs of children in the school’s specialized programs. Those students come from not only the Sulphur Springs District, but also surrounding school districts including the Newhall School District, Saugus Union School District and Castaic Union School District.
The building also houses a Medical Therapy Unit for California Children’s Services (CCS), an organization that provides therapy and specialized training for clients with special needs, from infancy to age 21.
The new sea-themed playground is designed to meet the needs of the whole child (social, sensory, physical, cognitive, and communication), and includes equipment meeting the “Seven Principles of Inclusive Playground Design:” be fair, be included, be smart, be independent, be safe, be active, and be comfortable.
As part of a grant application to secure funding for the playground, Kawaguchi wrote: “The Valley View Community School playground embraces our values in our community where no child will be excluded from play, and embraces equal play opportunities. The playground will allow greater opportunities for all students, with and without special needs, to play and socialize together. Inclusive play is a top priority for our District, and every elementary district in our Valley will benefit since we are serving all Santa Clarita Valley elementary students with specialized needs.”
Tim Hollinger, president of Sun Country Systems (www.suncountrysystems.com), said the Santa Clarita-based playground builder was honored to participate in the project, which was initiated in March 2016.
“Valley View is an amazing place, and to see how dedicated they are to serving these children is truly inspiring,” Hollinger said. “We’re proud to play a role in ensuring that every Valley View child, of every ability, has a place to play, to be included both physically and socially, to develop their abilities, and to just be a kid.”
For Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March, Soliant, one of the nation's largest healthcare staffing companies, has announced that Valley View Community School Playground in Santa Clarita is one of the 10 best inclusive school playgrounds in the United States.
Join members of the Santa Clarita City Council, Saugus Union School District and the community for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Northbridge Park Playground on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. at Northbridge Park.
In collaboration with the Saugus Unified School District, the city of Santa Clarita is excited to announce playground construction plans for Northbridge Park. The project aims to provide recreational space for Charles Helmers Elementary School students and the surrounding Northbridge community. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer.
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The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced that Anthony Eslao, a senior at Golden Valley High School, has been awarded the distinguished California Scholarship Federation Seymour Award. Additionally, Matthew Thomas De Guzman, also from Golden Valley, has been recognized as a Seymour Award finalist.
The Saugus Union School District Asset Management Committee will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. at the Saugus Union School District Office.
Saugus High School’s inaugural varsity color guard team will compete at the WGI Color Guard World Championships in Dayton, Ohio, Thursday thru Saturday, April 3-5.
1738 - Fr. Francisco Garcés born in Spain; came through SCV in 1776, found Tataviam fighting with Coastal Chumash, observed Santa Clara River flowing by night and dry by day despite the season being spring [story]
The Santa Clarita Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m., in City Hall Council Chambers. The commission will hear a request from BluMax Santa Clarita, LLC on amendments to the MetroWalk Specific Plan to expand the housing types allowed and to delay or eliminate the requirement for affordable senior housing.
Be a part of key governance reform changes coming to Los Angeles County. An independent study is underway to identify strengths and challenges of the county’s current governance model.
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center has announced the largest gift in its 64-year history, a transformative $16 million donation from the estate of Julian and Gladys Saunders.
The dark, ashy sediment appearing on Los Angeles-area beaches does not appear to contain chemicals related to wildfires at levels that are dangerous to human health.
A Mother's Day Eve Evening of Enchantment and Magic wine pairing dinner at Le Chene French Cuisine will be held Saturday, May 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth), has announced a package of bills focused on affordability, tax relief, consumer protections and lowering costs.
The unmistakable sights, sounds and flavors of the Old West are making their way back to William S. Hart Park, 24151 Newhall Ave., Newhall, CA 91321 and you do not have to wait long.
Visit the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia branch, 10-11 a.m. Monday, April 14 for a paws-itively delightful new program, "Paws to Connect: Adults and Animals."
Special Needs Athletes and Peers Sports will host its Food and Wine Tasting with Salt Creek Grille Fundraiser and Blues Music event, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8.
College of the Canyons will host Howard Fisher's Cougar Basketball Camp, with registration for two sessions now open to boys and girls entering third through eighth grade.
The College of the Canyons women's volleyball program invites girls and boys ages 8-14 to participate in the 2025 COC Summer Volleyball Camp, with two sessions beginning in July.
In its efforts to prevent distracted driving and save lives on our roads, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is reminding all drivers to stay focused, keep their eyes forward and keep their hands on the wheel.
Connect with other businesses and attend the Valley Industry Association After Five networking mixer on Thursday, April 24, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at J Blair Group
At the direction of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, KH Consulting Group is conducting an independent study to identify strengths and challenges of L.A. County’s current governance model and make recommendations for actionable change.
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4 Comments
Should of been done a long time ago
Awesome
That’s is so wonderful. Thank you all for your hard work!
Nice…