What is inclusion in Elmira City School District?
Elmira City School district has focused on our inclusion initiative since 2017, and our staff and students are committed to gaining a better understanding on how to support and celebrate our neurodiversity. The term inclusion captures, in one word, an all-embracing societal ideology. Regarding individuals with disabilities and special education, inclusion secures opportunities for students with disabilities to learn alongside their non-disabled peers in general education classrooms.
We are committed to making our schools a place of acceptance for everyone, every day. However, the inclusion movement is not just occurring in our educational settings. It is happening on our sports fields, throughout our community and businesses. It is also not just for people with disabilities, its about accepting and respecting all our differences whether age, race/color, ethnicity, or gender.
Elmira City Schools’ mission is to provide meaningful opportunities in a safe and engaging environment for all. This work is creating a more inclusive environment for all students and staff and focuses on the potential and unique strength in everyone. To achieve success, we know that attitude is equally as important as our abilities.
Partnership with NYU's Program for Inclusion and Neurodiverse Education (PINE)
In the 20-21 school year, Elmira City School District became a Launch partner with the NYU Program for Inclusion and Neurodiverse Education (PINE) program. This partnership began in four of our elementary schools and will continue to grow each year. Through this program our staff has completed course work and participated in professional development that focuses on student’s strengths and assumes every students is capable of academic success when supported wit the tools necessary to accommodate inclusive learning in our neurodiverse educational community.
Elmira City School District continues its partnership with The Program for Inclusion and Neurodiversity Education (PINE). PINE is an inclusion program that drives system-wide change. Through specially designed coursework, remote coaching, and practical downloadable tools, PINE helps deepen our professional practice and shifts our school culture.
PINE empowers our school systems to embrace neurodiversity and transform inclusive practices. PINE partnership with ECSD has established a shared language and understanding of neurodiversity, changing how neurodivergent students—and their neurotypical peers—are supported in our buildings and throughout the district.
If you would like additional information regarding our inclusive education, please contact our Special Education Administrative Offices.