DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT (D.A.S.A.)

Washingtonville Central School District is committed to the intellectual, cultural, physical and emotional growth of our children in a safe and supportive environment.

THE GOAL:

The goal of The Dignity Act is to create a safe and supportive school climate where students can learn and focus, rather than fear being discriminated against and/or verbally and/or physically harassed. All public elementary and secondary school students have the right to attend school in a safe, welcoming, considerate, and caring environment.

• The Dignity Act prohibits the harassment and discrimination of students by students and by school.
• Bullying and hazing are forms of harassment and discrimination.
• The Dignity Act applies to behavior on school property (including athletic fields, playgrounds, and parking  
• lots), in school buildings, on a school bus/vehicle, as well as at school-sponsored events or activities.

THE LAW:

No student shall be subjected to harassment by employees or students on school property or at a school function; nor shall any student be subject to discrimination based on his/her actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. In 2019, the DASA was amended to reflect New York State’s approval of Senate Bill S6209A, The CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act. The CROWN Act prohibits race discrimination based on natural hair or hairstyles. 

DASA Coordinators:

KEY DEFINITIONS:

• Harassment: “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.”
   
• Bullying: “A problem behavior based on power relationships in which a student or a group of students uses power aggressively to cause emotional or physical pain and distress to another student.”

PROCESS FOR REPORTING A MATERIAL INCIDENT:

When a complaint is brought to a Building Level administrator they will take a report from the complainant and begin a preliminary review and investigation. The goal of informal procedures is to end the bullying, prevent future incidents, ensure the safety of the target and obtain a prompt and equitable resolution to a complaint. The complainant may fill out this formal complaint form or the DASA Coordinator can complete the form based on a verbal report.
 

1. As soon as possible, but no later than five school days following receipt of a complaint, the principal, the principal’s designee or the Dignity Act Coordinator will begin an investigation. 
    
2. Parents of student targets and accused students should be notified within one school day of allegations that are serious or involve repeated conduct.
    
3. The investigator will report back to both the target and the accused, within 10 days unless extenuating circumstances require an extension for a thorough investigation.  They will be notified verbally and in writing, and also in person, as appropriate, regarding the outcome of the investigation and the action taken to resolve the complaint. 
    
4. Any party who is not satisfied with the outcome of the initial investigation may request a district-level investigation by submitting a written complaint to the Superintendent or the District Dignity Act Coordinator within 30 days. 
    
5. The district level investigation should begin as soon as possible but not later than five school days following receipt of the complaint by the District Dignity Act Coordinator, Superintendent or Designee. 
    
6. No later than 30 days following receipt of the complaint, the Dignity Act Coordinator / Superintendent (or in cases involving the Superintendent, the Board-appointed investigator) will notify the target and alleged perpetrator, in writing, of the outcome of the investigation. If additional time is needed to complete the investigation or take appropriate action, the Superintendent or Board-appointed investigator will provide all parties with a written status report within 30 days following receipt of the complaint. 
    
7. Any party who is not satisfied with the outcome of the district-level investigation may appeal to the Board of Education by submitting a written request to the Board President within 30 days.
    
8. When a request for review by the Board has been made, the Superintendent/Dignity Act Coordinator will submit all written statements and other materials concerning the case to the President of the Board. The Board will notify all parties concerned of the time and place when a hearing will be held.  Such hearing will be held within 15 school days of the receipt of the request of the complainant. 
    
9. The Board will render a decision in writing within 15 school days after the hearing has been concluded.