• DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT

     

             The Board of Education recognizes that learning environments that are safe and supportive can increase student attendance and improve academic achievement. A student's ability to learn and achieve high academic standards, and a school's ability to educate students, is compromised by incidents of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to bullying, taunting, and intimidation. Therefore, in accordance with the Dignity for All Students Act, Education Law, Article 2, the District will strive to create an environment free of bullying, discrimination, and/or harassment and will foster civility in the schools to prevent and prohibit conduct that is inconsistent with the District's educational mission.  Since cyberbullying is a form of bullying, the term “bullying” as used in this policy will implicitly include cyberbullying even if it is not explicitly stated. 

    The District condemns and prohibits all forms of bullying, discrimination, and/or harassment of students based on actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex by school employees or students on school property and at school-sponsored activities and events that take place at locations off school property. In addition, any act of bullying, discrimination, and/or harassment, outside of school-sponsored events, which can reasonably be expected to materially and substantially disrupt the education process may be subject to discipline.

  • Dignity for All Students Act

    Definitions and Reporting

    • The Dignity Act prohibits discrimination and harassment of students by staff and other students defined as:  the creation of a hostile environment by conduct or by verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that  has or would have the effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering with a student's educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical well -being; or conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or  abuse  that  reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause a student to fear for his or her physical safety. Such conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abuse  includes,  but  is  not limited  to: conduct, verbal  threats, intimidation or abuse based on a person's actual or perceived  race, color, weight, national  origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.

      If you know of a student currently being harassed on school grounds or at a school function, please report via the form.

       

      BULLYING

      • Bullying is a form of harassment. According to the US Department of Education, bullying generally involves the following characteristics:

        • An imbalance of power: Children who bully use their power, such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity, to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
        • The Intent to Cause Harm: The person bullying has a goal to cause harm.
        • Repetition:  Bullying behaviors generally are repeated and happen over time.        
       

      REPORTING

      • Reporting: School staff members will continue to report incidents of harassment by filling out the building behavior referral form. Harassment (and all other misbehavior) should be reported immediately to a building administrator. Students are encouraged to tell a parent or staff member if they are being harassed at school. Building administrators will follow up on all reports, investigate and react appropriately. Material incidents of discrimination and harassment will be reported as required to NYSED.