Photos of students

Equity and Inclusivity

  • Inclusivity (Inclusion + Diversity) is taking diversity and inclusion and turning this into action by creating a school environment of engagement, respect and connection - where ideas, backgrounds and perspectives are tied together in a caring environment.

    Diversity means all the ways we differ. Anything that makes us unique is part of this definition of diversity.

    Inclusion means bringing together; making someone a part of something bigger and embracing diversity in a beneficial way.

Equity Goals

Equity and Inclusivity at PCSD

  •  Orlando Benzan (left) and Theresa McDonald (right)

    New Coordinator of Equity & Inclusivity and Committee on Special Education Coordinator Appointed

    The Pittsford Board of Education approved the appointments of Orlando Benzan as the new Coordinator of Equity & Inclusivity, and Theresa McDonald as Committee on Special Education (CSE) Coordinator...

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  • Religious Observance

    Differences in culture, gender, generations, backgrounds, and religion shape who we are as a school community. Our community becomes more diverse every year, increasing the importance of sensitivity to families and students from a variety of backgrounds and beliefs. Respect and acceptance to such a diversity of students is vitally necessary to those of us who are responsible for modeling...

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  •  Code of Conduct

    Code of Conduct Review Process

    The Code of Conduct was approved by the Pittsford Schools' Board of Education after a multi-phase, comprehensive review and update process carried out by a committee of PCSD stakeholder groups ...

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  • Students in Pittsford and Israel “Imagine Sharing all the World” in Education Bridge Program

    Thanks to the Jewish Federation’s Partnership2gether program, students from Thornell Road Elementary School had the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with students from Asif School in Modi'in, Israel. Continents apart, they collaborated to sing "Imagine" to show how the power of music is universal. View video...

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  •  Jacque Sarphatie Discenza standing at the front of a classroom speaking to students

    Speaker Shares Family’s Holocaust Experiences

    Jacque Sarphatie Discenza recently visited Mendon High School to discuss the Holocaust and its lingering effects on subsequent generations. She introduced herself as a “DP kid” and explained how she was born at the Bergen-Belsen displaced persons (DP) camp in Germany...

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  •  Group of students

    ROC2Change Student Summit

    Sixteen students from Pittsford Mendon and Sutherland High Schools recently participated in the 14th Annual ROC2Change Student Summit on Race hosted at Gates-Chili Central School District (CSD. The summit focused on the theme of “Deconstructing Tolerance and Rebuilding Understanding” and brought together high school students from over 41 schools across Monroe County...

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  • Andrea Wang

    Author Andrea Wang visits PCSD

    Acclaimed children’s book author, Andrea Wang, visited kindergarten through third-grade classes at Mendon Center Elementary on March 16 to discuss her path to becoming an author and how students can use their experiences to inspire their writing...

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  •  school bus in front of Tom Wahl's restaurant

    Students Collaborate with Tom Wahl’s to Enrich Dining Experience 

    It’s not just the burger and fries at Tom Wahl’s that makes the experience great for local residents. It is the walk down memory lane provided by old yearbook photos that adds to the flavor of the meal. So, when Tom Wahl’s VP Paul Nagel invited Pittsford students and Coordinator of Equity and Inclusivity Vincent French to add to..

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  •  Image Description: Woman in traditional clothing in front of table featuring the country of India.

    International Day Returns to Mendon Center Elementary

    Mendon Center Elementary School hosted International Day on March 3 as staff, students, families, and volunteers shared an array of cultural & ethnic traditions each representing the Mendon Center Elementary families and their ancestries...

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  •  Lebanese and American Flags

    Mendon High School Students Host Heritage Day

    As a way to honor and raise awareness of Pittsford’s diverse student body, Mendon High School students organized a Heritage Day event on February 9, 2023. In what they hope to be the start of an annual tradition...

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  •  Womba African Drummer teaches students drumming techniques

    PCSD Celebrates Black History Month

    Throughout the month of February, Pittsford Schools celebrated Black History Month to recognize the achievements of Black Americans and their central role in U.S. history by participating in curriculum-connected activities and events as a way of sharing and understanding Black heritage and culture...

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  • MHS Students to “Pause Before you Post” on Social Media

    Scott Fitch can still recall the moment about eight years ago when a college basketball recruiter told him he was not going to continue recruiting one of his star athletes at a local high school where Fitch was the head boys’ basketball. Fitch was puzzled. This student was a great basketball player and got good grades...

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  • Group of visiting educators from Israel.

    Pittsford Schools Host Visiting Educators from Modi’in

    A group of sixth graders gathers behind Elad Shlomo excitedly as he takes a selfie at an assembly at Calkins Road Middle School after his presentation discussing life and school in Israel. He is just one visiting educator from a group from Modi’in, Israel who traveled to Pittsford last month...

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  •  I am Pittsford Schools logo on gradient background of navy and maroon

    Hear from Our Students in New Video about Inclusivity

    “I am Pittsford Schools” is the theme of a new video that highlights the diversity of backgrounds and unique stories that make up the student body of Pittsford Schools. By interviewing students of different ages, abilities, gender identities and backgrounds, the video shares, through student voices...

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  • ROC2CHANGE

    On November 22, students from Pittsford Schools joined more than 100 other students across the Monroe county region in attending the ROC2Change Student Summit on Race at St. John Fisher University. The event, that takes place twice a year, was hosted by Webster Central School District and Edison High School (RCSD)...

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  • Israeli student writing to Pittsford student Cross Cultural Program

    Pittsford and Israeli students write messages to each other as part of a cross cultural program.

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  • Families at the English Language Learners’ Family Welcome Night Family Welcome Events

    Families of students who are English language learners have the opportunity to meet each other and learn about some of the resources available to them in the PCSD schools and community.

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  • Link Crew activity One and All Link Crew

    Link Crew Leaders teach two classroom lessons to all English 9 classes. The first lesson is called "Why Limit Yourself" and focuses on the importance of seeking excellence and being open to new ideas and approaches. The second lesson is based around the theme of "Creating Community" by building strong relationships.

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  • Students in Roc 2 Change Activity

    ROC2Change

    PCSD students join other schools in Monroe County schools, both public and private, to engage in facilitated dialogue with peers related to race, racism, privilege, internalized racism, non-racist, and anti-racist. They are working together to develop plans to be the change.

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  • Students participating in ROC kids connect ROCKids Connect

    ROCKids Connect is a program initiated by a PCSD parent that aims to enrich the lives of city and suburban youth through a student exchange program. Students from both communities meet, learn from, and play with each other. 

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  • TIES student smiling TIES

    Together Including Every Student (TIES) is a Pittsford Central School District program that promotes belonging and participation for young people with special needs in extracurricular and community activities. Trained high school and middle school student volunteers provide the individualized support needed by TIES participants in a spirit of fun and learning. TIES Best Buddies program is dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of people with intellectual or development disabilities (IDD).

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  • Unified Basketball Players High Five Unified Sports

    Unified Sports is an initiative that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team to compete. Pittsford Schools is one of the first in New York State to offer Unified Sports. Basketball was selected to start the program.

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  • Cover of book Wonder Students Read Wonder

    All Barker Road students read the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio about a 10 year old boy with facial anomalies and how his shift from home schooling to public school change him and those around him.

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Inclusivity in Pittsford Schools Videos

Dimensions of Diversity

Dimensions of Diversity

Monroe County Council of School Superintendents Stand Against Racism

  • June 9, 2020

Inclusivity Advisory Committee

ROC2Change Keynote Presentation – Fall 2019

ROC2Change Student Summit on Race Keynote Presentation featuring Serve2Unite Co-Founders Pardeep Kaleka and Arno Michaelis.