Equity and Inclusivity
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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 and Inclusivity at PCSD
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Inclusivity and Continuous Improvement Remains a Priority for Pittsford Schools
Pittsford Central School District is again partnering with Natalie McGee from Progression Partners to help evaluate and ensure an optimal learning environment for all PCSD students. McGee and Orlando Benzan, Pittsford Schools’ Coordinator of Equity and Inclusivity, conducted focus groups this fall with Pittsford students, parents and teachers...
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Students Strive to Make a Difference at 15th ROC2Change Student Summit
Students from Mendon and Sutherland High Schools joined more than 400 students from over 40 local school districts at the 15th Roc2Change Student Summit on Race held at Monroe 2 BOCES on November 17, 2023...
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Unified Bowling Strikes a Chord for Inclusive Fun
Fourteen athletes from Mendon and Sutherland High Schools participated in Unified Bowling this fall. The team competed against other Monroe County high school teams, including Fairport, Greece, Brighton, Eastridge, Rush Henrietta, and West Irondequoit. Paul Keller (MHS), Simone DeVore (SHS) and Jonah Goetz (SHS) scored personal bests in the match against Greece Unified. Pierson McQuillen (SHS) and Elie Siebert (SHS) had personal bests in the Eastridge Unified match...
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Mendon High School Students Gain Insight into Haudenosaunee Culture from Ganondagan Speakers
Mendon High School’s student Diversity Council and an English 12 class recently hosted a student event with guest representatives from Ganondagan State Historic Site to speak about what it means to be Haudenosaunee in the 21st century in Upstate New York...
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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 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Cross Cultural Program
Pittsford and Israeli students write messages to each other as part of a cross cultural program.
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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
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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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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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
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 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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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.
Inclusivity in Pittsford Schools Videos
Dimensions of Diversity
Monroe County Council of School Superintendents Stand Against Racism
Inclusivity Related Files
Inclusivity Advisory Committee
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Minutes of the Inclusivity Advisory Committee Meetings can be found on the district website at this link: Inclusivity Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
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The Pittsford Central School District chartered an Inclusivity Advisory Committee that formed in 2018. The volunteer committee members applied to be a part of this committee. The Inclusivity Advisory Committee Success Statement can be found at this link: Inclusivity Advisory Committee Success Statement
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