The Elmira City School District recognizes the value of providing access to enriching educational opportunities. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central tenets along our collective quest to ensure that all members of our district community are supported and safe, are affirmed, and have endless opportunities to excel. Learn more about some of our DEI efforts in action.
Community Schools
The Elmira City School District partners with the community to integrate strong instructional programming with student-centered health services, after-school academic enrichment, mentoring, parent engagement, and more. The Community Schools initiative is an educational philosophy that is a critical component of the Elmira City School District’s Improvement Plan. Elmira School leadership has identified Community Schools as a way to re-imagine the school system in a way that continues to deliver high quality academic instruction along with social, emotional and physical health support for students. This model addresses the whole-student and recognizes that students and families who face chronic obstacles to learning in the classroom, from hunger to health, can be connected with programming to improve student achievement.
>>Learn more about the Community Schools model in Elmira
Finger Lakes Youth Forum
Let your voice be heard! The Finger Lakes Youth Forum is looking for student leaders!
The Finger Lakes Youth Forum is a safe space created by students and for students to engage in productive conversations on difficult topics that matter most to them. Conversations take place each month on a virtual platform and serve to bridge connections across differing opinions within the student body. Conversations are professionally recorded to create a podcast to help share your message with our community.
>>Learn more about the Finger Lakes Youth Forum here
My Brother's Keeper
My Brother’s Keeper
The Elmira City School District has been awarded the NYSED "My Brother's Keeper" Grant Award, providing funds from 2021-2025 to support programming. The New York State My Brother’s Keeper initiative seeks to “Change the Narrative” of boys and young men of color, and all students, by closing and eliminating the opportunity gaps they face and helping them to reach their full potential. To this end, grant-funded opportunities are available in specific areas to develop programs and strategies to help boys and young men of color and all students realize their full potential. Are you interested in applying to be a mentor (6-hours a week/paid position).
>>Learn more about the grant and how to become involved.
Inclusion for All Students
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.
>>Learn more about Inclusion in the Elmira City School District
Regional Equity Network of Educators (RENE)
RENE is a partnership between GST BOCES and Corning Incorporated's Office of Racial Equality and Social Unity, designed to provide opportunities for educators to gather and enhance their capacity to learn and lead for equity. The group typically meets monthly and has an annual summer conference.
Join the listserv to stay informed about upcoming RENE events
SafeZones
The Chemung County SafeZones Program provides middle and high school students with a safe, empowering and non-judgmental environment to learn about LGBTQ+ history, culture and relevant topics. SafeZones promotes diversity and encourages acceptance for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
>>Learn more about SafeZones in Elmira