All students deserve to communicate and participate with their peers and adults in effective and efficient ways. For students with complex communication needs this can be a challenge, especially outside of the structured environment of the classroom. There are many ways that students can communicate other than using oral words. One strategy that is used for many students is focusing and teaching core vocabulary. Core vocabulary is a list of words that have been determined to be highly useful for communicating in both social and academic contexts. This can be accomplished through the use of alternative means of communication including, individual core boards, an AAC device (augmentative and alternative communication), or even body language and gestures.
At Benton Community, we are committed to providing a way for students to communicate no matter the student's location and regardless of their specific needs. You may have noticed at Atkins Elementary, we were fortunate to have received large sized core boards through a local non-profit organization that is committed to providing ways for all students to communicate. These core boards are located not only in our gymnasium for students to use when physically active, but also for each of our playgrounds. This gives all students access to communicate their needs and wants to peers and adults when it is difficult to also carry their individual communication device. Watch for this to expand to all attendance centers, as we requested and received through the organization these core boards not just for Atkins Elementary but for ALL gymnasiums and playgrounds in our school district, as well as one for Bobcat Stadium!!