New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (the Dignity Act or DASA) took effect on July 1, 2012. Just as the district’s Code of Conduct does, the law seeks to provide the State’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying (including cyberbullying) on school property, school buses, and/or at school functions, as well as to foster civility in public schools. Consistent with the Dignity Act, the District prohibits acts of bullying (including cyberbullying), discrimination, and harassment against students by students and/or school employees on school property, on school buses, or at any school functions based on a student’s actual or perceived race actual or perceived race (including traits associated with race such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), or sex. The Amendments of 2013 afford protections under DASA to include all forms of harassment of any kind.

 

Prevention is the cornerstone of the Districts’ efforts to address bullying and harassment. Individuals at each school have been assigned to act as the Dignity for All Students Act Coordinator (Dignity Act Coordinator). These individuals have been thoroughly trained to handle human relations in the areas of race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, sex or any other legally protected status.

 

 

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

 

Cyberbullying is bullying or harassment that takes place through communication using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Cyberbullying may be directed toward both students and staff members. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.

 

 

 

Reporting Bullying/Harassment