At the entrance of the new playground is a bilingual communication board for students who are nonverbal autistic. Aspire Summit Charter Academy’s student body is 70% Latino and the board will help ensure all students can express themselves and play together. Students can point to pictures on the sign to communicate their thoughts and needs.
The project is part of a nationwide effort led by KABOOM! to make playspaces more accessible for all. Community members led the creation of the playground, from design to installation. In July, students from Aspire Summit Charter Academy began working on drawings of their dream playspaces and these ideas were integrated into the new playground design that hundreds of children will enjoy each year.
Aspire Public Schools believes that for students to be best prepared for success in college, career, and life, they must be supported holistically and that includes a safe, joyful place to play.
“It’s essential to us that we offer our scholars a positive academic environment and joyful opportunities for play and creativity,” said Zack Dickinson, principal of Aspire Summit Charter Academy. “We are so proud of our scholars who submitted their creative ideas that have been worked into this playspace design and we are deeply thankful to our community partners whose support has been instrumental in bringing this to life. It is truly wonderful to see that our youngest scholars will now have their very own developmentally appropriate space where they can explore, learn, grow, and experience the joy of play.”
Playing is a critical developmental need that provides countless physical, social, and mental health benefits to children. KABOOM! is leading an effort to bring more playgrounds to students, especially in under-resourced communities. The new playground – tailored to meet the school’s needs – will help ensure that all students can enjoy playtime together.
“Places to play are iconic parts of childhood where kids collect some of their best memories and experience the countless physical and mental health benefits of play,” said Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!. “KABOOM! is excited to partner with Smile Generation and Aspire Public Schools to ensure that kids in Modesto have access to what they need to have a happy and healthy childhood."
Since 2010, Smile Generation has partnered with KABOOM! to build playgrounds across the U.S. This project marked the 20th build, furthering the shared effort to end playspace inequity and ensure all kids, regardless of where they live, have a place to play.
“We’re proud and honored to be a part of this 20th playground build, especially as we combine playground equity and oral health equity,” said Toreano Norris, Smile Generation Regional Parter. “The fact that – in addition to providing students with a safe, fun place to play – the playground will also ensure that students with different needs or abilities can enjoy this space is especially gratifying.”
About Aspire Public Schools
Aspire Public Schools operates 36 community-based public charter schools educating over 15,000 students in underserved communities across California. Founded in 1998, Aspire is one of the nation’s largest open-enrollment public charter school systems serving predominantly students of color from low-income communities. Teachers and families partner closely to ensure scholars are prepared to succeed in college, career and life. Currently in its 26th academic year, Aspire is one of the nation’s first charter school systems. Learn more about Aspire Public Schools at aspirepublicschools.org.
About Smile Generation
Smile Generation® connects patients to Smile Generation-trusted dentists who are dedicated to providing an exceptional patient experience and advanced clinical care. Smile Generation also provides financial choices for patients and education about the connection between oral health and overall health (The Mouth-Body Connection®). The Smile Generation network spans over 1,000 dental offices in 24 states. Smile Generation-trusted offices are supported by PDS Health. For more information, visit smilegeneration.com.
About KABOOM!
KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending playspace inequity – the reality that quality places to play are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with kids and communities to build or improve 17,000+ playspaces and ensure that nearly 12 million kids have equitable access to the crucial benefits and opportunities that playspaces offer. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity to accelerate its mission in 25 high-priority locations over five years. Learn more at kaboom.org or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Pictured above: Zachary Dickinson, Aspire Summit Charter Academy principal, and PDS Health Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist Yasmin Alfurati at the entrance of the new playground featuring a bilingual communication board for non-verbal autistic students.
Pictured right: Community members and volunteers during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Aspire Summit Charter Academy playground, celebrating the successful completion of the kid-designed, community-built project.
