Dignity for All Students Act

The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) is new legislation which took effect July 1, 2012. Its goal is to promote a positive, safe, school environment for ALL students free of discrimination and harassment by peers and school personnel alike. Incidents of harassment and discrimination may include, but are not limited to, threats, intimidation or abuse based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender and sex. It applies to behaviors on all school property, as well as at school-sponsored events or activities.

The new law requires the appointment of at least one trained employee to act as DASA coordinator (DAC). This coordinator is responsible for receiving, responding to, and reporting incidents. Training will also be provided to staff and students in order to raise awareness, provide strategies for prevention, and offer methods of responding to acts of discrimination and/or harassment. Data relating to material incidents of harassment will be collected and submitted to the NYS Education Department annually.

What is Bullying? 

The government website, StopBullying.gov, defines bullying as “…unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.”

School DASA Coordinator(s): (716)924-2603
Elementary School- Caitlin Snyder ext. 4981
Middle School - Kelsey Wise ext. 4973
High School - Alison Gondek ext. 1124 & Mark Baldelli ext. 1125

District Coordinator(s):
Beth Miller ext. 2991