Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Welcome Back to School! We hope that you had a great summer and first week back to school with students. Each month, we will provide a newsletter with information regarding various areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Newsletters may include articles, strategies, professional learning opportunities, upcoming events, and other information that we hope will assist you. Have a wonderful school year!

Is your school or department doing something to celebrate or highlight diversity, equity, inclusion, or belonging? We would love to hear about it and share with colleagues! If there is something you would like highlighted in our newsletter, please send information to Katie Ilijic at katie.ilijic@pccsk12.com.

Plymouth-Canton Community School District is a culturally and religiously diverse community. While the schools are not always closed for observance of religious holidays, it is the intention of the District to respect the religious and cultural days that are significant to our students, families, and staff. The list linked below includes many of these religious holidays observed during the 2023-2024 school year that may require a student to be absent from school. Students who miss school work because of an absence for religious observance should not be expected to complete homework, study for tests, or do other school work during their absence (Policy 5200). Students shall be given the opportunity to complete assignments and tests within a reasonable time, based on the circumstances. These absences should be managed in the same manner as absences, including informing the school of the absence, talking with teachers about the absence, missed work, etc. Additionally, on days that students are out of school with an absence for a religious holiday or observance, we ask that the following are not scheduled:

1. Major exams;

2. Reviews for major exams;

3. Standardized tests;

4. Tryouts (sports teams, plays, etc.); and/or

5. One-time or major events (prom, graduation ceremonies, homecoming, elections, test simulations, etc.).

Please note, typically, Jewish, Islamic, and Bahá'i holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the first date shown. Additionally some dates are not fixed to a calendar, but are based on actual sighting of the moon and therefore there may be some variance by a day.

Please find a list of holidays and observances for the 2023-2024 school year linked here as well as linked descriptions of each day.

As we return to school with new students and new colleagues, it is important to keep in mind that each of us has a story. There is a great likelihood that when you ask a person their name, whether given or chosen, there is a story connected to that name. Students (and staff) have shared far too many times that they often abbreviate their names because people have told them that it is too hard to pronounce. Statements of this nature ("do you have a nickname?" "Your name is too hard to pronounce," "I'm never going to get that right," etc.) are microaggressions often with macro impact. The resources provided below contain strategies educators can utilize to support correct name pronunciation.

7 Amazing Books that Convey the Importance and Value of Names

Why getting a student's name right matters

My name, My Identity

Why Pronouncing Students' Names Correctly is So Important

Importance of pronouncing student names correctly

NPR: What Listeners Told Us About the Importance of Getting Names Right

Let's Get It Right: Using Correct Pronouns and Names

Each year from September 15 to October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. The observation of Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. Below, please find a list of resources that may be helpful as we observe this month.

NEA Hispanic Heritage Month Resources

The Creation and Evolution of the National Hispanic Heritage Celebration

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month Resources

Erasure and Resilience: The Experiences of LGBTQ Students of Color, Latinx LGBTQ Youth in U.S. Schools

Are You Ready to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

This is a safe online reporting platform for P-CCS students/families to document incidents of hate and bias in our schools or at school-related events.

P-CCS is committed to the success of every student in each of our schools and achieving our mission of developing capable, involved citizens who recognize that they are citizens of a global community, who use critical thinking skills, and are lifelong learners.

To create an equitable educational experience for all students, we are committed to closing the opportunity gaps in academics, behavior, and social-emotional needs by creating learning environments that provide academic support and enrichment programs for all students. This means differentiating resource allocation, within budgetary limitations, to meet the needs of students who need more supports and opportunities to succeed academically and otherwise.

Please click here to read the entire Educational and Racial Equity Policy (Policy 2260.03) for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.

At P-CCS, we are committed to creating and fostering an educational environment for all students that is safe, welcoming, and free from stigma and discrimination, regardless of a student's sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression. Additionally, we will work to ensure that we are in compliance with local, state, and federal laws concerning bullying, harassment, privacy, and discrimination while ensuring that all students have the opportunity to express themselves and live authentically.

Please click here to read the entire Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students Policy (Policy 5517.03) for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.

Katie Ilijic (She/Her/Hers)

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Email: katie.ilijic@pccsk12.com
Website: https://www.pccsk12.com/about-p-ccs/departments/diversity-equity-and-inclusion
Location: 454 South Harvey Street, Plymouth, MI, USA