English Language Arts
-
MISSION STATEMENT for ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
The study of English Language Arts in the Pittsford Central School District cultivates literate citizens who think critically, write clearly, communicate effectively, and read with understanding and appreciation.
As a result of participating in the PCSD English Language Arts program, through reading, writing, speaking, and listening, graduates will effectively and independently …
-
comprehend a range of texts and media;
-
communicate ideas while responding to varying demands;
-
generate questions and seek answers through critical analysis of text and media;
-
seek understanding of themselves and others;
-
embrace lifelong learning and reading for enjoyment;
-
develop a critical eye and appreciation for the written word.
-

-
Welcome to Sutherland English
For us, reading and writing do not merely comprise the tasks of our chosen profession; they are endeavors of passion. They are the foundation upon which we have built a lifetime in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. We strive to consistently convey this passion to our students and in this way, contribute to society, of course, but more importantly—humanity. We are:
Matt Davidson—Mr. Davidson's webpageMaria Esposito—Ms. Esposito's webpageMurie Gillett—Ms. Gillett's webpageAmanda Marshall—Mrs. Marshall's webpage
Victor Northrup—Mr. Northrup's webpage
Marni Rabinowitz—Miss Rabinowitz's webpage
Brian Shafer—Mr. Shafer's webpageEmily Wijnaendts—Ms. Wijnaendts' webpageSummer ReadingConsistent reading is a key factor in learning in all areas of study, not just English. Furthermore, studies suggest that when we take even two or three months off from reading, our comprehension and analytical skills begin to atrophy. For these reasons, and countless others, we encourage you to engage in active reading over the summer. Reading at least two high quality books over the summer will help to keep your thinking skills sharp and can lead to a more successful transition into the new school year. While we do not have any particular titles that we recommend, we encourage you to expand your interests a bit when looking for new titles.
The following links might provide some inspiration, and they're a great place to start:
Our Library's 20 in 4 Challenge -- Fantastic Nonfiction
The New York Times Book Page and The Times Summer Reading Page
The College Board’s list of 101 books for college-bound readers
Great Works by Authors Who Have Won the Nobel Prize in Literature
There are more specific Summer Reading plans for students taking:
Happy reading!
Course Offerings
For detailed information about the sequence of courses offered by the English department and a description for each, please go to the English Language Arts section of the 2022-2023 PCSD High School Program of Studies.

Related Files
-
Annotating a Text
As you build your own library by owning books, you have the opportunity to become an active reader. As a student, it is not always enough to simply read the assigned text and hope for understanding. Annotating a text is an excellent way to practice active reading. This file explains some of the ways to be an active reader. -
Academic Honesty Agreement
This document must be read and signed by all students at Sutherland High School and a parent/guardian. -
Procedure for Addressing Violations of the Academic Honesty Agreement
This file outlines the basic procedure for addressing a violation of the Academic Honesty Agreement. It also provides a description of The Honor Council and its function. -
Academic Honesty PowerPoint
This PowerPoint file takes you through some of the basic points that we like to make to our students regarding the Sutherland High School Academic Honesty Policy. We encourage you to play the presentation and contact any English teacher if you have any questions.