La Costa Heights Elementary Students Present Inclusive Playground Bill at State Capitol

Fifth grade students from La Costa Heights Elementary School (LCH) in the Encinitas Union School District recently visited the California State Capitol for an educational civics trip. In addition to observing legislative sessions, the students had the unique opportunity to present their own bill proposal to California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, State Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, and State Senator Catherine Blakespear. 

Prior to the trip, every 5th grader at LCH collaborated to draft the California Inclusive Playgrounds Act (CIPA), with the help of teachers and an LCH parent. The bill seeks to make playgrounds more inclusive for children of all abilities by incorporating features such as sensory play structures, ramps, adaptive swings, and quiet spaces. The students aim to ensure that new and renovated playgrounds not only meet accessibility needs, but foster a more inclusive environment where all children can play together. 

"The opportunity for our students to travel to Sacramento and present the California Inclusive Playgrounds Act was more than just a civics lesson—it was a transformative experience,” said LCH 5th grade teachers Natalie Christ, Sean Murphy, and Katie Andan. “This journey fostered student advocacy, empathy, and inclusion for the greater good, empowering our 5th grade student leaders beyond the classroom as engaged global citizens.” 

While writing the bill, students consulted with experts, including Elise Gout, a senior policy advisor at the White House, who shared her experience with passing large-scale legislation. They also worked with Brittany Dougherty, a pediatric physical therapist, who educated them on accessibility, and LCH parent Jamie Cruz, who taught them about augmentative and alternative communication devices for nonverbal students. Additionally, students conducted field research by visiting an inclusive playground in San Diego, and met with the Magical Bridge Foundation, a California nonprofit dedicated to building inclusive playgrounds. 

In addition to presenting their bill, students observed live legislative sessions and were introduced on the Assembly and Senate floors by Assemblymember Boerner and Senator Blakespear. Both lawmakers and Dr. Weber also spoke with the students about the legislative process and the importance of civic engagement.