Community Connection & Belonging Statement

At The Peck School, our efforts to create a community of connection and belonging are guided by a firm belief in Consideration of Others, a long-standing hallmark of our school and the guiding principle for students, faculty, staff, and families.

We foster a community that respects the dignity and humanity of every individual, where all members are seen and valued. Through developmentally appropriate experiences, we nurture empathy and embrace inclusion, fairness, and cultural appreciation. In all that we do, we honor the diversity of our community.

We are fully committed to building a community of connection that creates a deep sense of belonging, empowering all to thrive.

Community Connections & Belonging

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World Cultures Program

At Peck, we value the rich diversity within our community and beyond, a value deeply embedded in our World Cultures Program. This program enriches our appreciation of diversity through culturally inspired meals and presentations on family heritage at all-school World Cultures Assemblies. It fosters inclusion, exposes students to various global traditions and customs, and strengthens their sense of belonging within the community.

Campus celebrations further enable students to forge connections by exploring and appreciating each other's backgrounds while elevating the voices and stories of the cultures they represent. Our annual World Cultures Night is a highlight, uniting the community to savor global cuisines and immerse themselves in the art, music, and traditions of different countries.

Building Belonging Curriculum

We believe that continually focusing on belonging, inclusion, and equity will strengthen our community and prepare our students for life after graduation. Our Building Belonging Curriculum supplements our character education programming and helps inform our portrait of a Peck graduate.

At every grade level, students are introduced to age-appropriate lessons on diversity-related topics such as identity, culture and heritage, family structure, ability, and more.

Inclusion in the Classroom

Learning at Peck cannot happen without our students knowing they can bring their full selves and unique identities to school. This commitment to authenticity is at the heart of our efforts to create an inclusive atmosphere.

We foster an environment of inclusion through a number of activities such as inviting families to visit their child’s classroom and share family traditions, culture, and heritage; student-created art and discussion such as self-portraits, belonging boards, and “About Me” highlights; cultural celebrations and dress days; birthday celebrations, and more—ensuring every student feels represented and valued.

Parent Group on Inclusivity (PAGI)

In partnership with The Peck School, The Parents Association Group on Inclusivity (PAGI) strives to enrich the overall wellness and connection of our community by fostering a sense of belonging for families. The group cultivates an informed parent community through programming that aligns with the school's core values and strategic goals.

By providing time and space for open conversation, connections, and relationship-building between the adults within our community, PAGI creates a supportive network that mirrors the inclusive values taught to our students. This collaborative environment empowers parents and guardians to be active participants in the school’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

PAGI is also an affinity space open to all parents, guardians, and caretakers of Peck students. Meetings are held monthly on campus. Discussion topics typically touch on intentional inclusion, cultural diversity, family traditions and culture, community and unity, and more!

Community Connections & Belonging at Peck

Culture & Climate Work

Peck regularly seeks feedback from students, families, faculty, and staff to better understand their experiences and identify opportunities to strengthen school culture and belonging.

Strengthening School Culture and Climate
In spring 2026, Peck completed a three-year partnership with Saint Elizabeth University’s School Climate Assessment and Improvement Process (SCAIP). Through surveys and collaborative teams of students, faculty, and staff, Peck identified strengths and opportunities for continued growth. Findings reflected an already strong sense of connection that strengthened over the three-year period, while also highlighting opportunities to expand meaningful student voice and choice.

One lasting outcome is Peck’s Student Culture Committee, a group of Upper School students focused on belonging and student voice. Peck continues to apply the collaborative practices developed through SCAIP to gather diverse perspectives and strengthen the community.

Listening to Our Families
Since 2024, Peck has used the Independent School Management (ISM) Parent Satisfaction Survey to measure family satisfaction, belonging, and school culture. The surveys have averaged 60 percent participation, and Peck’s most recent Net Promoter Score of 78 placed the school in ISM’s “World Class/Excellent” category. The survey will continue every two years to help Peck understand and respond to the family experience.

Training & Education

Peck encourages and supports ongoing learning for students, faculty, staff, and other members of our community through workshops, conferences, and professional development focused on Community Connections & Belonging. Recent and ongoing opportunities include:

Bias Awareness in the Hiring Process: Faculty and administrators learn practices to recognize and reduce potential bias throughout the hiring process.
Understanding Bias Workshop: Faculty and staff explore where and why bias can arise and develop strategies for recognizing and reducing it.
Recognizing and Responding to Biased Language: Faculty gain practical tools to recognize and respond to biased or harmful language, support repair, and create opportunities for learning.
NAIS Gather: Formerly known as the People of Color Conference (PoCC), this annual NAIS gathering offers educators and school leaders opportunities to learn, connect, and advance inclusion and belonging in independent schools. Peck faculty, staff, and administrators have participated over the years.
Widening the Lens: Peck students, faculty, parents, and alumni have participated in Far Brook School’s annual diversity conference for New Jersey independent schools, engaging in learning, discussion, and collaborative work around building more inclusive school communities.
Middle School Equity & Inclusion Summit: Seventh- and eighth-grade students have opportunities to attend this annual gathering at Gill St. Bernard’s School, where they connect with peers from other schools and explore ways to foster more inclusive student communities.

2022 Strategic Plan Initiatives

As part of Peck’s 2022 Strategic Plan, Deeply Rooted, the school committed to further enhancing the community's sense of belonging, focusing significant attention on a variety of areas pertaining to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. In addition to thoughtfully reviewing all Peck traditions and rituals to continue fostering inclusion and belonging, the plan also directs the school to increase the diversity of its faculty, staff, and students.

Meet our Director of Community Connections & Belonging

Cymone Williamson is a people person at heart. With a deep background in DEIB leadership and a warm, welcoming approach, she works to cultivate a community where everyone feels heard, valued, and empowered to thrive. Her expertise is strengthened by professional learning with organizations including the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE), the National Equity Project, and Nemnet, with a focus on identity-conscious facilitation, inclusive education, diversity recruitment, and equitable hiring and retention practices. At Peck, she helps shape Community Connections & Belonging strategy, identifies opportunities to strengthen the school experience, and works directly with students, families, faculty, and staff.

Learn More About Cymone Williamson