Dignity For All Students Act

The Alexandria Central School Board of Education, administration, and all staff are committed to providing a safe school environment. At Alexandria Central School, students will receive and district personnel will deliver quality educational services without disruption or interference. Responsible behavior by students, teachers, other district personnel, parents and visitors is essential to achieving this goal.

What is DASA?

The "Dignity for All Students Act" is a New York State law effective July 1, 2012. It is designed to provide a learning environment free of discrimination and harassment. Bullying behaviors may be a larger problem of discrimination and harassment. DASA works to help prevent discrimination and harassment through civility, citizenship and character education.

What Behaviors Are Reportable?

Bullying: A form of harassment that consists of persistent inappropriate behavior that is done indirectly, remotely, or face-to-face.

Cyber-Bullying: A form of bullying that is done through electronic communication (i.e. the Internet, cell phones, Facebook, etc.)

Discrimination: The denial of rights because of a person's group, class or category to which a person belongs.

Harassment: The creation of a hostile environment by conduct or verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that interferes with a student's educational performance.

The Dignity Act states that NO student shall be subjected to harassment or discrimination by employees or students on school property or at a school function based on their actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex.

Michelle Mourino and Kathryn Durand are Alexandria Central School's Dignity For All Students Coordinators.