• Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)   dasa
     
    In September 2010, New York State leaders approved the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) to help ensure that schools have the tools and resources to afford all students an educational environment in which they can thrive. The statewide task force developed guidelines, with each school district developing its program for implementation on July 1, 2012.

    During the 2011-2012 school year, the Plainview-Old Bethpage CSD began the process with the creation of its DASA Task Force comprised of teachers, parents, students, and administrators. The chair of the committee is the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources.

    The focus is on ensuring that all students attending the Plainview-Old Bethpage schools are in a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying whether in the classroom, on school property, on a school bus and/or at a school function.

    About DASA

    Q: Who’s protected under the Dignity Act?
    A. The Act applies to the protection of all public elementary and secondary school students and prohibits the harassment and discrimination of students by students and by school personnel.

    Q: How does the Dignity Act relate to bullying and hazing?
    A: Bullying and hazing are forms of harassment and discrimination.
     
    Q: What physical spaces are covered?
    A: The Dignity Act currently applies to behavior on school property (including athletic fields, playgrounds, and parking lots), in school buildings, on a school bus/vehicle, and at school-sponsored events or activities.

    Q: Doesn't POB already have anti-bullying programs?
    A: Yes, we many excellent programs in place.  The DASA requirements would not eliminate these programs. They would provide structures for even more comprehensive and consistent training and intervention.

    Q: How does the Dignity Act relate to a school’s Code of Conduct?
    A: The Code of Conduct is in the process of being amended to reflect the prohibition of discrimination and harassment of students by students or staff.

    Q: Does the Dignity Act require any training?
    A: Yes. The Dignity Act mandates that schools provide training for all employees to increase awareness and sensitivity to discrimination or harassment and civility in the relations of all people.

    Click below to view our comprehensive Guidance Plans:

     
     

    Old Bethpage Elementary Guidance Plan

     
     
     

    Helpful Resources

       Protecting your Kids on the Internet
    NYSED Website on DASA

    •       http://www.p12.nysed.gov/dignityact

    Agencies of the Federal Government collaborated to establish a website to provide students, parents, teachers and administrators and the community with information and resources to address bullying.

    •       www.stopbullying.gov

    Welcoming Schools, a Project of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

    •       http://www.welcomingschools.org/

    New York State Positive Behavioral Intervention Systems Technical Assistance Center

    •       http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/techassist/PBISTAC.htm

    Dear Colleague Letter: Bullying and Harassment (October 2010)

    •       http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201010.pd

    Digital Citizenship 

    •      http://www.ciconline.org/digitalcitizenship/inctrl?utm_source=ISTE&utm_medium=JanEmail&utm_campaign=InCtrl