The Pleasantville Union Free School District is partnering with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Break the Hold (BTH), and the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center of New York (HHRECNY) this year, according to the superintendent’s opening of schools report.

These organizations will provide 10 interactive lessons and activities to Pleasantville fifth graders this school year with the goal of creating safe and accepting spaces for all students, and promote respect for themselves and others.

The ADL describes itself as the “world’s leading anti-hate organization.“ The organization was founded in 1913 in response to anti-Semitism and bigotry.

BTH is a Pleasantville organization founded following the death by suicide of resident Brian T. Halloran in 2018. According to its website, BTH promotes mental wellness as it “focuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal skills allowing all to develop needed coping skills.”

Dialectical Behavior Therapy And Skills Training for Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents (DBT STEPS-A) is a program created by Dr. James Mazza, Dr. Elizabeth Dexter-Mazza, and colleagues to teach adolescents emotion regulation, decision making, and problem-solving skills.

According to Dr. Mazza’s website, the curriculum focuses on orientation and goal setting, dialectical thinking, core mindfulness skills, distress tolerance skills, emotion regulation skills, and interpersonal effectiveness skills.

Lastly, the HHRECNY enhances the teaching and learning of the lessons of the Holocaust and the rights of all people to be treated with dignity and respect. They encourage students to speak up and act against forms of bigotry and prejudice.

The agreements with the organizations were announced before two swastikas were found in Pleasantville High School in early October. After the swastikas were found, the high school held a town hall meeting for students to share experiences and discuss ideas.