Nov 27 - Nov 29
Thanksgiving Vacation
All Day
We honor and celebrate a range of cultures, backgrounds, talents, experiences, and opinions in our students, faculty, and administration, always seeking to expand our world view and create a community of sensitivity, openness, and acceptance. Pine Crest does not tolerate hateful, disrespectful, or discriminatory language or behavior by any member of our School; there is no place on our campus for bigotry, racism, or prejudice of any kind.
Every person’s story adds depth and richness to our community. We respect and value each unique narrative, which creates a welcoming and supportive environment. At Pine Crest, we believe that one of the greatest gifts we can give our students is being accepted in truth and authenticity. We want our students to feel valued and included by faculty and staff, but more significantly, by one another. When students are exposed to a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, they learn to think critically, challenge their assumptions, and explore alternative approaches and solutions.
Some Pine Crest students will spend as many as 2,820 days, or one-third, of their lives here. For many, Pine Crest serves as an extension of home; others might say it is home. Collectively, we speak more than a dozen different languages, including Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese, Creole, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Macedonian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Urdu and Vietnamese. We hold passports from all over the world. Our School’s diversity—of cultures, backgrounds, talents, experiences, and opinions—is one of our greatest assets, and every one of us belongs here. As the late Dr. Maya Angelou taught us, “In diversity, there is strength.” Pine Crest students are the future leaders of our diverse global community. As the late Dr. Maya Angelou taught us, “In diversity, there is strength.” Pine Crest students are the future leaders of our diverse global community.
Our commitment is to foster a school where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, nurturing a strong sense of belonging for all and embracing the many cultures that bring us together, empowering our students to become compassionate leaders in an interconnected global society. In our community, belonging is not left to chance. It permeates our conversations and classrooms, is woven into the very fabric of our school, and influences and shapes our identities and interactions.
Under the guidance of the president and senior administrators and led by Ms. Uche Pendergast, Director of Belonging and Assistant Athletic Director, more than 10 Pine Crest educators and administrators serve on the School’s Belonging and Global Unity Team. Representing both campuses and all Divisions and Departments, the Team meets regularly to keep a pulse on the needs of our students and move forward the programs and projects that support belonging in our community.
Examples of ongoing opportunities for Pine Crest students include:
*Among the many clubs offered in Upper School, there are more than a dozen focusing on heritage and culture, providing students with meaningful opportunities to embrace their identities proudly and build a strong sense of community within a community. Some examples of Upper School heritage clubs include: Asian and Pacific Islander Club, Black Student Association, Greek Heritage Club, Indian Heritage Club, Jewish Heritage Club, Latinx Student Association & Spanish Club, Middle Eastern Culture Club and Multiracial Culture Club. Heritage clubs reflect Pine Crest’s commitment to fostering a supportive and welcoming environment where students feel genuinely happy and empowered by who they are.
Uche Pendergast
Director of Belonging and Assistant Athletic Director
[email protected]