Marlborough Schools Add Playground Communication Boards

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Marlborough students who struggle with verbal communication will soon have a new way to interact with classmates and school staff on the playground.

The Marlborough Special Education Parent Advisory Council and Friends of Marlborough SEPAC purchased five playground communication boards from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism with support from local donors, the council's co-chair Heather Mendonca told Patch.

One board has been installed at Francis J. Kane Elementary School, while four others are expected to be installed at Marlborough’s remaining elementary schools and Whitcomb Middle School this fall.

The boards feature words, images and symbols that students can point to when communicating. They may also help students who speak different languages interact with one another, according to Marlborough SEPAC.

The Marlborough Public Schools facilities team built a protective stand for the Kane Elementary board within two weeks of receiving it. The board was installed in time for Marlborough SEPAC’s Sensory Friendly Touch-a-Truck event on May 2.

Members of the SEPAC Leadership Council marked the installation during the event.

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