Bismarck Public Schools has greenlit a bold new initiative—installing communication boards in preschool and elementary playgrounds and hallways—aimed at giving non-verbal students a vital way to express themselves.
Dubbed the “Play and SpeAACk” project, the effort will place Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) stations across Bismarck’s school district. Each station features symbols, pictures, and words to allow students who can’t speak—or who have difficulty with spoken language—to point, gesture, or engage visually.
The boards are designed to support children facing neurological, speech, or motor challenges—and to foster inclusion in playtime and classroom activities. The first units are already in place at the Richholt Bismarck Early Childhood Education Program indoor playground, with plans to expand throughout the district.
To date, over 100 BPS students use district-issued AAC devices; these boards are intended to complement those technical tools with more public, shared access.
Each station carries a cost of about $2,500, and the district is actively seeking community sponsors and donors to scale the rollout. Contributions can be made via the BPS Foundation website.
“I’m referring to a student who’s typically not using their voice to communicate… pointing to symbols in order to get their points across.” — Anjanette Schlafmann, BPS Assistant Technology Specialist
Parents have also expressed gratitude: “My child will finally be able to ‘talk’ to his friends,” said one local parent whose son attends a Bismarck elementary. Teachers anticipate the boards will help strengthen peer empathy as classmates see and engage with a new mode of communication.
Miller and Grimsrud elementary schools are among the first slated for installations. Local businesses, nonprofits, and community donors are being called on to support — learn more through the BPS Foundation’s donation portal.
Training & Implementation: The Arc of Bismarck and other disability–support organizations are expected to help train staff and volunteer aides.
Expansion Timeline: The goal is full coverage across all Bismarck preschools and elementaries by the 2026 school year.
This initiative reinforces Bismarck’s reputation for investing in inclusive education and ensures that no student is left without a voice.
The “Play and SpeAACk” communication board rollout is more than an accommodation—it’s a statement: in Bismarck, every student counts. By putting visible, shared tools into classrooms and playgrounds, Bismarck Public Schools is transforming how we think about communication, access, and inclusion.
