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.
Playgrounds located across the country were reviewed based on factors that include the utilization of inclusive playground design core principles, quantity and quality of play features offered and any unique inspirations or stories behind the development, funding, or name of the playground.
The selected playgrounds go beyond minimum accessibility to offer play experiences for a wide variety of needs, for example, by offering braille features for students who are visually impaired and sensory-rich structures for students with developmental disabilities.
“Join us in applauding the education systems, organizations, companies, and communities who played a role in the development of these playgrounds,” said Soliant Senior Vice President of Education Lesley Slaughter. “We praise their commitment to ensuring all students—children of various abilities, ages, and backgrounds—have an equal opportunity to play, learn, and develop alongside one another.”
Slaughter said she was surprised at the number and variety of inclusive playgrounds available throughout the United States.
“We were absolutely blown away at the number and variety of inclusive playgrounds in schools nationwide, so much so that it felt nearly impossible to pick just 10,” Slaughter said. “We are grateful for this opportunity to spotlight these playgrounds with incredible design and stories. Additionally, we extend our acclamation to the school educators and support staff who help push inclusivity further into education systems and continuously work to benefit the experience for all children—regardless of abilities.”
The 10 inclusive playgrounds chosen include:
1. Mr. Nick’s Inclusive Playground | Springfield, Mo.
2. C. P. Swagger Shipyard | Lambertville, Mich.
3. Owen’s Playground for Kids of All Abilities | Downers Grove, Ill.
4. Woodland Hills Elementary School Playground | Kingwood, Texas.
5. The Guild School | Concord, Mass.
6. Bloomingdale Inclusive Park and Playground | New York, N.Y.
7. The Valley View Community School Playground | Santa Clarita, Calif.
8. Toomer Elementary School Playground | Atlanta, Ga.
9. The Three Rivers Playground | Pasco, Wash.
10. Friendship Learning Center Playground | North Fond Du Lac, Wisc.
The Valley View Community School Playground in Santa Clarita was the first inclusive playground to be introduced as part of a Sulphur Springs Union School District initiative to implement all-inclusive playgrounds across school campuses, according to the SSUSD website.
The second inclusive playground was unveiled at Sulphur Springs Elementary in 2019 and the third and fourth playgrounds were unveiled at Fair Oaks Ranch Community School in 2021.
The sea-themed inclusive playground at Valley View Community School was designed to meet the needs of the whole child with social, sensory, physical, cognitive and communication needs.
According to a news release from playground equipment company Sun Country Playgrounds, the blue and green space prioritizes sound, sight and touch so that a variety of senses can be engaged without creating an overwhelming space, such as a smooth-moving boat and noise-making musical notes. There are accessibility touchpoints like wheelchair-accessible ramps and harnessed swings, so no part of the playground feels inaccessible. The playground has been incorporated into special education curriculum and occupational therapy sessions.
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.
The city of Santa Clarita’s first inclusive play area is coming to Canyon Country Park, following the City Council’s approval of a contract to begin the project at its meeting on February 12, 2019.
Children and families in Santa Clarita will soon be able to do what they love most once more – play on playgrounds at the City’s 35 parks.
Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
Valencia High School and Saving Hearts Foundation will host free cardiologist consultations 9 a.m.- 3p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at 27801 N Dickason Drive, Valencia, CA 91355.
We would like to start by thanking all of our staff, especially our transportation department, and first responders for their support and swift action during the rapidly evolving situation related to the Hughes Fire.
In an abundance of caution, the Saugus Union School District has asked families of students at Tesoro del Valle Elementary and West Creek Academy to pick up their students from school immediately.
The WiSH Education Foundation Wednesday Webinar series continues 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 with "College Admissions for Visual and Performing Arts Majors."
Due to the Hughes fire continuing to impact the Castaic area, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction for the affected area, effective till Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 9 p.m.
In collaboration with the Consulate General of Canada, the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation will host a luncheon featuring a group of nine Canadian energy companies, Wednesday, February 12 from 1-3 p.m. at College of the Canyons.
Mission Opera has announced its upcoming performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 7:30 p.m. at the Canyon High School Performing Arts Center.
Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County Joint Coordination Information Center have released the following information as of 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 on the fires active in Southern California.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has revised the Health Office Order issued on Jan. 10 probhiting the use of power blowers countywide.
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, Feb. 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
College of the Canyons Men's Basketball put away another win in Western State Conference, South Division play, posting a 71-67 win over the visiting L.A. Valley College Monarchs at Lee Smelser Court.
With the rise in local drug-related incidents, it’s more important than ever for parents to have open, honest conversations with children about the dangers of substance abuse.
Since the unprecedented Los Angeles County wildfire siege began on Tuesday, Jan. 7, the heartfelt generosity from the community has been inspirational.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominees for its 97th annual Academy Awards, recognizing excellence in the film industry on Thursday, Jan 23. As in years past, CalArtian-helmed films are in the running across the ceremony’s 23 categories.
Did you get engaged over the holidays? Say “I Do” on Valentine’s Day. Get married at The Big I Do, where multiple couples exchange vows in a beautiful ceremony and celebrate their love with a lavish reception. Participating couples will have a chance to win a custom wedding dress, a suit and wedding bands.
The fires that impacted the Los Angeles area in early January, especially the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, have displaced thousands of people destroying or damaging more than 16,000 homes and businesses and burning more than 40,000 acres.
A few Santa Clarita Valley school districts cancelled classes for Thursday, Jan. 23 due to an abundance of caution because of the Hughes Fire. With the lifting of mandatory evacuation orders, and the movement of the fire away from the SCV, back-to-school notifications have been issued, with a few exceptions, for Friday, Jan. 24.
Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County Joint Coordination Information Center have released the following information as of 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 on the fires active in Southern California.
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo joined a bipartisan coalition of state and local leaders as Governor Newsom signed a package of bills directing $2.5 billion toward wildfire relief, rebuilding and recovery.
Lucky Luke Brewing and Good Vibes Events will host a Anti-Valentine's Day Party and vendor market, 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at 25108 Rye Canyon Loop, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
The 12th annual SCV Rotary Charity Chili Cook-Off will be held Friday, Feb. 7, 5-9 p.m. Chili cookers will be preparing their spicy specialties on the patio of the SCV Senior Center.
As part of Santa Clarita Valley Water’s mission to provide reliable water supplies of high-quality water at a reasonable cost, the Agency regularly evaluates the cost of providing service to confirm that expenses are balanced with revenue so that it can adequately address system operations, maintenance and updates, meet government regulations and maintain financial stability.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has announced potential direct smoke impact from the Hughes Wildfire has caused unhealthy air quality.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has announced an update effective on Thursday, Jan. 23 about which zones will be permitted to re-enter and repopulate.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
0 Comments
You can be the first one to leave a comment.