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Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act) 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 on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function.

The Dignity Act was signed into law on September 13, 2010 and took effect on July 1, 2012.

This legislation amended State Education Law by creating a new Article 2 – Dignity for All Students. The Dignity Act also amended Section 801-a of New York State Education Law regarding instruction in civility, citizenship, and character education by expanding the concepts of tolerance, respect for others and dignity to include: an awareness and sensitivity in the relations of people, including but not limited to, different races, weights, national origins, ethnic groups, religions, religious practices, mental or physical abilities, sexual orientations, gender identity, and sexes. The Dignity Act further amended Section 2801 of the Education Law by requiring Boards of Education to include language addressing The Dignity Act in their codes of conduct.

Additionally, under the Dignity Act, schools will be responsible for collecting and reporting data regarding material incidents of discrimination and harassment.

 
 

Dignity Act Coordinator: 


According to the Dignity for All Students Act, at least one school member, the Dignity Act Coordinator, is required to be trained in human relations regarding race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic affiliation, religion or religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, and gender. The Dignity Act Coordinator will be accessible to all students, parents/caregivers, and staff for consultation regarding the expectations of the Dignity for All Students Act. 


The Dignity Act Coordinators for the Dunkirk City School District are: 


School #3 – Mr. Peters: 
716-366-9300 ext. *4340 or kpeters@g.dunkirkcsd.org

School #5 – Mrs. Russell:
716-366-9300 ext. *4500 or drussell@g.dunkirkcsd.org

School #7 – Mrs. Penhollow:
716-366-9300 ext. *4700 or apenhollow@g.dunkirkcsd.org

Intermediate School – Ms. Texter:
716-366-9300 ext. *3380 or ktexter@g.dunkirkcsd.org

High School – Mr. Swatland:
716-366-9300 ext. *2070 or bswatland@g.dunkirkcsd.org

District Coordinator - Mr. Mansfield:
716-366-9300 ext. *2013 or mmansfield@g.dunkirkcsd.org
 
The full policy can be found here