Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

New Lebanon CSD’s Commitment

It is the goal of New Lebanon CSD to create school environments which recognize and promote tolerance, respect for others and civility toward people of all kinds. New Lebanon CSD’s Code of Conduct also prohibits discrimination and harassment of students by other students, employees, or others on school property or at school functions.

Reporting

Students are expected to report incidents of discrimination, harassment and bullying to a teacher, principal or other staff member. New Lebanon CSD staff members are required to report incidents—whether directly observed or reported to them by others—to the principal. New Lebanon CSD principals have been designated “Dignity Act Coordinator” for their building or program. Parents and students also may contact their Coordinator to report incidents (see below).

Forms of Harassment & Discrimination

Harassment and discrimination can take many forms. It may take the form of bullying, taunting or intimidation, and may or may not include physical contact. It generally is based upon the targeted student’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation, or the student’s associations with others. It may be:

• Verbal – Name‑calling, teasing, inappropriate sexual comments, taunting, threatening to cause harm.
• Social – Spreading rumors about someone, excluding others on purpose, telling other children not to be friends with someone, embarrassing someone in public.
• Physical – Hitting, punching, shoving, kicking, pinching, spitting, tripping, pushing, taking or breaking someone’s things, making mean or rude hand gestures.

Policies & Forms

• Student Harassment and Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy
• Student Harassment and Bullying Prevention and Intervention Regulation
• Incident Reporting Form

Resources

• NYSED.gov – The Dignity Act Brochure
• New York State Center for School Safety – Dignity Act Fact Sheet
• StopBullying.gov

New Lebanon CSD Dignity Act Coordinators

Coordinators provide the State Education Department with an annual summary of all material incidents of discrimination and/or harassment which occur on school property (including on a school bus) or at a school function.

Walter B. Howard Elementary

Josh Noble

Jr/Sr High School

Corey Brown

District‑Wide

Christopher Harper