DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT (DASA)

  • Dear Parents/Guardians,

    In 2010 NYS passed the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA).  This law has been in effect since July 1, 2012 and was updated since.  The intent of DASA seeks to provide the State’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from bullying, harassment and discrimination on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. It provides that no student shall be subjected to discrimination or harassment based on his or her actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity or sex.

    Harassment under DASA is defined as the creation of a hostile environment by conduct or by threats, intimidation or abuse, including cyberbullying, 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;
    • reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause a student to fear for their physical safety;
    • reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause physical injury or emotional harm to a student; or
    • occurs off school property and creates or would foreseeably create a risk of substantial disruption within the school environment, where it is foreseeable that the conduct, threats, intimidation or abuse might reach school property. The harassing behavior may be based on any characteristic, including but not limited to a person's actual or perceived: race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as but not limited to braids, locks and twists), color, weight, national orgin, ethnic group, religion, religious practices, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender (including gender identity and expression). 

    These regulations have been incorporated into the Sayville Public School’s Policy Manual (Policy 0115 and 0115-R), as well as the Code of Conduct.  The principal and select social workers are the Dignity Act Coordinators for each school in our district.  Dignity Act training is provided to employees on an ongoing basis.  Sayville students will receive instruction that promotes civility and citizenship as well as provides information about the Dignity for All Students Act.

    If you have any concerns that you feel fall under the Dignity Act, please do not hesitate to call your child’s teacher or the Dignity Act coordinators for your child’s school.  More information is available on the district website at the following link: Sayville Schools on the Student Services page under the heading DASA.  DASA complaint forms are available on this site as well. The most up-to-date information can be found on the State website on The Dignity Act page.

    Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we work together to make sure that Sayville continues to be a safe place to learn and grow. 

                                                                  

    Sincerely,

    Jillian Makris
    Director of Student Services                                         

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